The booklet has more detailed notes but these you can play through
U14 games https://lichess.org/study/js5O1aRR/CrdJ2GwS
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[Event "Dan Classical 2023: Southwest of England and South Wales Jamboree Yaroslav Sharhorodsky-Daniel Smith"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/hwFSyrN1/aruZDlHm"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C45"]
[Opening "Scotch Game: Mieses Variation"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.14"]
[UTCTime "22:34:47"]
{ In a complex line you were definitely getting on top but then made a tragic fingerslip. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.05] } 3... exd4 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.03] } 4... Nf6 { [%eval 0.09] } 5. Nxc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 5... bxc6 { [%eval 0.07] } 6. e5 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Qe7 { [%eval 0.0] } 7. Qe2 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... Nd5 { [%eval 0.0] } 8. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 8... Ba6 { [%eval 0.27] } 9. b3 { [%eval 0.24] } 9... g6 { [%eval 0.3] } 10. g3 { [%eval -0.13] } { I might have started yelling about all these pawn moves... but that's how you play this line, grabbing as much space as you can with a big pawn skeleton, and hope to put some development flesh on the bones later. } 10... Bg7 { [%eval -0.06] } 11. Bb2 { [%eval -0.16] } 11... O-O { [%eval -0.17] } 12. Bg2 { [%eval -0.28] } 12... Rfe8 { [%eval 0.26] } (12... Rae8) 13. O-O { [%eval 0.28] } { We have been following a distinguished preceedent: Kasparov's use of this line in the 1990s led to a surge of interested in the Scotch. } 13... Nb6 { [%eval 1.12] } { Inaccuracy. Bxe5 was best. } (13... Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 $10) 14. f4?! { [%eval 0.82] } (14. Re1 d5 15. Qc2 Qc5 16. Nd2 Rad8 17. Rac1 d4 18. Nf3 d3 19. Qd2 Bc8 20. h3 h5 21. Rcd1 Bf5 22. e6 Rxe6 23. Rxe6 Bxe6 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qc3+ Kg8 26. Rxd3 Rxd3 27. Qxd3 Nd7 28. Qc3 Bf5 29. Nd4 Qe5 30. Qd2 c5 31. Nxf5 Qxf5 32. Qa5 Ne5 33. Qxa7 h4 34. Qa8+ Kg7 35. Qe4 Qf6 36. Qxh4 { Kasparov, Garry - Sokolov, Ivan, 1-0, Yerevan ol (Men), 1996, https://lichess.org/zlrdzVTA }) 14... f6 { [%eval 0.36] } 15. Re1 { [%eval 0.29] } 15... fxe5 { [%eval 0.28] } 16. fxe5 $14 { [%eval 0.38] } 16... Qc5+ { [%eval 0.71] } 17. Qe3?? { [%eval -2.49] } { Blunder. Kh1 was best. } { I have a prejudice that White, with more space, should keep Queens on, but actually White has so much space that the Black Q side will struggle even after the swap, as we see in the game. What is really wrong with this move is something tactical, which can happen if you are behind in development... } 17... Qxe3+ { [%eval -2.39] } 18. Rxe3 { [%eval -2.72] } { TACTIC: complex! } 18... Rab8?? { [%eval -0.22] } { Blunder. Bxc4 was best. } (18... Bxc4! { sac } 19. bxc4 Nxc4! { fork } 20. Re2 Nxb2! 21. Rxb2 Bxe5! { pin/skewer }) 19. Bc3 { [%eval -0.23] } 19... Re7 { [%eval 0.0] } 20. Nd2 { [%eval 0.14] } 20... Bh6?? { [%eval 3.32] } { Blunder. d5 was best. } 21. Re2?? { [%eval 0.18] } { although it makes sense to leave e1 free for the other Rook, the Rook is undefended here, and so the c- and e-pawns become pinned } (21. Ree1 d5? (21... Rbe8 22. Ne4) 22. exd6 $18) 21... Rbe8?? { [%eval 2.83] } { Blunder. d5 was best. } (21... d5! { now works }) 22. Ne4! { [%eval 2.93] } 22... Bg7 { [%eval 2.86] } 23. Rae1 { [%eval 2.93] } 23... Nd5 { [%eval 2.81] } 24. Bd4 { [%eval 2.42] } 24... Nb4?! $18 { [%eval 3.84] } { Inaccuracy. Nb6 was best. } 25. Nc3?? $17 { [%eval -0.76] } { Heading for a4, but ignoring Black's idea } 25... Nd3! $17 { [%eval -0.67] } 26. Rd2?? { [%eval -8.15] } { Blunder. Rd1 was best. } { "Touched the wrong rook." } 26... Nxe1 { [%eval -8.03] } 0-1
[Event "Dan Classical 2023: South West of England and South Wales Jamboree Yarovar Nasir-Daniel Smith"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/hwFSyrN1/3Cuce4Yp"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B22"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.14"]
[UTCTime "22:34:58"]
{ Very steady as far as we have the moves and I would have expected the long-term prospects to be with Black, because of White's weaker pawn structure, and so it proved to be. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. c3 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... Nf6 { [%eval 0.15] } 3. e5 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Nd5 { [%eval 0.11] } 4. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... cxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 5. cxd4?! { [%eval 0.0] } { This has been known to give White nothing since the 1990s, and at master level, White scores a little worse than does Black. } (5. Nf3! { is the modern main line }) 5... d6 { [%eval 0.22] } 6. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... e6 { [%eval 0.14] } (6... Nc6) 7. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... Nxc3 { [%eval -0.12] } 8. bxc3 { [%eval 0.1] } 8... Qc7 { [%eval 0.04] } 9. Bd2 { [%eval 0.07] } 9... Nc6!? { [%eval 0.43] } { This has all been played before } (9... Nd7!?) 10. Bf4?! { [%eval -0.13] } { Inaccuracy. exd6 was best. } 10... dxe5 { [%eval -0.16] } 11. Nxe5?! { [%eval -0.99] } { Inaccuracy. dxe5 was best. } { White doesn't really want exchanges } 11... Nxe5?! { [%eval -0.04] } { Inaccuracy. Bd6 was best. } 12. Bb5+ { [%eval -0.12] } 12... Bd7 { [%eval -0.11] } 13. Bxd7+ { [%eval -0.08] } 13... Qxd7 { [%eval -0.06] } 14. Bxe5 { [%eval -0.11] } 14... Qc6?! { [%eval 0.27] } { forking c3 and g2, but } (14... Rc8! { The game continuation shows how dangerous it is to fall even a little behind in development in this open position, and is quite an advertisement for White's opening system. }) 15. O-O { [%eval 0.29] } 15... Rd8?! { [%eval 1.09] } { Inaccuracy. f6 was best. } (15... Qxc3? 16. Rc1 Qa5 (16... Qa3 17. Qh5 $18 { and Black cannot easily untangle the King's-side } 17... g6?? 18. Qe2 Rg8 19. Qb5+ Kd8 20. Qxb7 { and Black is getting mated }) 17. Rc7 $18) (15... f6!) 16. Qb3?! { [%eval -0.01] } { Inaccuracy. Qh5 was best. } 16... Be7 { [%eval 0.0] } 17. Rfd1 { [%eval 0.0] } 17... O-O { [%eval 0.0] } 18. Rd3 { [%eval -0.2] } 18... Rc8 { [%eval -0.05] } 19. Rg3 { [%eval -0.27] } 19... f6?! { [%eval 0.1] } (19... g6! { should be preferred now. }) 20. Bf4 $10 { [%eval 0.0] } { "Time was below 3 mins. Ended in win for black mostly due to weak c3 pawn."
The weaknesses of the c3 and e6 pawns should cancel each other out. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales B"]
[Black "Daniel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E90"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Rare Defenses"]
{ A classic King's Indian win for Black on the King's-side, although White did their bit to help! }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.37] } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.3] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.29] } 4... d6 { [%eval 0.71] } 5. e4 { [%eval 0.57] } (5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2) 5... O-O { [%eval 0.48] } 6. g3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Nfd7?! { [%eval 0.67] } { Normally you can achieve ...e5 without this manoeuvre, which has the additional disadvantages of moving the piece twice and away from the King's-side. } (6... e5!? 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Nxe5 Re8! $17 (9... Nxe4!? $10) 10. f4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Nxe4!) (6... Nbd7 7. Bg2 e5 { could lead to the classical games from the tournament of Zurich 1953 annotated by Bronstein. }) (6... Bg4 { softens up the dark squares } 7. Bg2 Nfd7 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Nc6 10. Be3 e5 11. d5 Nd4 $10) 7. Bg2 { [%eval 0.29] } 7... Nc6 { [%eval 0.52] } 8. Be3 { [%eval 0.31] } 8... e5 { [%eval 0.61] } 9. d5 { [%eval 0.57] } 9... Ne7 { [%eval 0.56] } 10. O-O { [%eval 0.65] } 10... f5?! { [%eval 0.99] } { Usually you need to wait for the Nf3 to move, or prepare with ...h6 } 11. Nd2?? { [%eval -3.25] } { "Some part of a mistake is always correct" (SGT): this might be heading in generally the right direction for a Queen's-side attack, but right now it loses a piece. } (11. Ng5! $16 { targets e6 }) 11... f4 { [%eval -3.26] } 12. gxf4 { [%eval -3.96] } 12... exf4 { [%eval -4.0] } 13. Bxf4 { [%eval -3.85] } 13... Rxf4 { [%eval -3.95] } 14. Ne2 { [%eval -4.13] } 14... Rf7 { [%eval -3.5] } 15. Rb1?! { [%eval -4.48] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } 15... Ne5?! { [%eval -3.38] } { Inaccuracy. g5 was best. } 16. Ng3? { [%eval -5.33] } { Mistake. f4 was best. } 16... Bd7 { [%eval -4.66] } 17. f4 { [%eval -4.79] } 17... Ng4 { [%eval -4.63] } 18. Qe1 { [%eval -4.61] } { 0-1 Black wins. } { [%csl Rh2,Gd4][%cal Gd8h4,Gh4g3,Gg3h2,Be1e2,Bf1f3,Bh2h3,Gg7d4,Bg1h1] } 18... Nc8 { [%eval -3.92] } 19. h3 { [%eval -4.15] } 19... Bd4+ { [%eval -4.32] } 20. Kh1 { [%eval -4.39] } { This may not have been the exact position: I couldn't quite follow the moves as written. } 20... Qh4?? { [%eval 0.0] } { A very natural move to launch the Queen into the attack, but not best. } (20... Ne3! { and everything is winning } 21. Rg1 (21. Rf2 { blocks the defence of the Knight } 21... Qh4) 21... Rxf4 (21... Nxg2 22. Rxg2 (22. Kxg2 Rxf4 (22... Qh4)) 22... Bxh3)) 21. Qe2?? { [%eval -6.74] } (21. Nf3! { forking h4 and d4, but this is so obvious I doubted the position is correct, but it does fit the continuation up to mate. } 21... Nf2+! 22. Kh2! Ng4+! 23. Kh1) 21... Qxg3 { [%eval -6.74] } 22. Rf3?? { [%eval #-1] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Nf3 was best. } 22... Qh2# { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Bris/Glos"]
[Black "Ben"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C47"]
[Opening "Four Knights Game: Italian Variation, Noa Gambit"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening didn't go well and you had to fight hard to stay in the game for a long while. It all turned around in a very few moves and in the last position I have you actually stand better. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.18] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. Bc4 { [%eval 0.12] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } { This is a pretty unpromising move, even if Black doesn't play the most accurate defensive move here } 4... Nxe4! { [%eval 0.0] } { but that is the move! } 5. Bxf7+? { [%eval -1.68] } (5. Nxe4 { the fork trick: } 5... d5 6. Bd3 (6. Bxd5 Qxd5 $17) 6... dxe4 7. Bxe4 Bd6 $10 { gives Black an easy game }) 5... Kxf7 { [%eval -1.73] } 6. Nxe4 { [%eval -2.13] } 6... d5 { [%eval -2.33] } 7. Neg5+?! { [%eval -3.4] } { Inaccuracy. Ng3 was best. } 7... Kg8 { [%eval -2.49] } { Quite a deceptive position: the misplaced King is much less important than Black's big centre and Bishop pair. } 8. d3 { [%eval -2.41] } 8... h6 { [%eval -2.49] } 9. Nh3 { [%eval -2.48] } 9... Bg4 { [%eval -2.4] } 10. Nhg1?! { [%eval -3.88] } { Inaccuracy. c3 was best. } 10... Bc5? { [%eval -1.96] } { Mistake. e4 was best. } 11. h3 { [%eval -2.06] } 11... Be6?! { [%eval -1.15] } { Inaccuracy. Bh5 was best. } 12. Qe2?! { [%eval -2.25] } { Inaccuracy. Be3 was best. } 12... Qf6 { [%eval -2.1] } 13. c3?! { [%eval -3.27] } { Inaccuracy. Be3 was best. } 13... Rf8?! { [%eval -2.28] } { Inaccuracy. Re8 was best. } 14. b4? { [%eval -4.6] } { Mistake. Be3 was best. } 14... Bb6?! { [%eval -3.19] } { Inaccuracy. e4 was best. } 15. Bb2 { [%eval -3.31] } 15... Bf7 { [%eval -2.72] } 16. O-O-O { [%eval -2.66] } 16... Re8 { [%eval -2.16] } 17. Nh2 { [%eval -2.77] } 17... Qxf2 { [%eval -2.67] } 18. Qxf2 { [%eval -2.75] } 18... Bxf2 { [%eval -2.73] } 19. Ng4 { [%eval -2.69] } 19... Bb6 { [%eval -2.53] } 20. Nf3? { [%eval -4.23] } { Mistake. b5 was best. } 20... e4 { [%eval -3.67] } 21. dxe4 { [%eval -4.21] } 21... dxe4 { [%eval -3.54] } 22. Nh4?! { [%eval -4.65] } { Black has a crushing position here, but it all swings the other way in three moves: } 22... Ne5?? { [%eval -0.14] } { TACTIC: net } (22... h5 { wins a piece }) 23. Nxe5 { [%eval -0.19] } 23... Rxe5 { [%eval -0.17] } 24. c4 { [%eval -0.28] } 24... Re8?? { [%eval 3.31] } { TACTIC: net } 25. Rd7?? { [%eval -0.12] } (25. c5! { wins a piece }) 25... g5?? { [%eval 3.37] } { Blunder. Be3+ was best. } { 0-1
I think you came out with a loss in this game, but in this position you stand well despite the missing pawn.
For example: } 26. c5! gxh4 27. Bxh8 Be6 28. Rd4 Bxc5 29. bxc5 Kxh8 30. Rxe4 $18 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Ben"]
[Black "S Wales A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A21"]
[Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack"]
{ I couldn't follow the moves here and as far as I can tell even move 1 may be wrong. There was an interesting tactic for your opponent at move 10 which is worth study. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } { I got a message back that you didn't have a game with 1.c4, so something isn't right here, but the score makes no sense starting with 1.e4, so... } (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Bc5 4. b4 Be7 5. Bb2 c6 6. Nxe7 Qxe7 7. Qf3 Nf6 { is another possible interpretation of the score, but White's 8th move is Nf3, so I chose the moves shown. }) 1... e5 { [%eval 0.25] [%eval 0.18] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.12] [%eval 0.06] } 2... Bb4 { [%eval 0.19] [%eval 0.37] } 3. Nd5 { [%eval 0.21] [%eval 0.46] } 3... Bc5 { [%eval 0.48] [%eval 0.36] } (3... Be7 { is a move I have had played against me }) 4. b4 { [%eval 0.0] [%eval 0.42] } (4. Nf3) 4... Be7?! { [%eval 0.59] } { Inaccuracy. Bd4 was best. } { [%eval 0.32] } 5. Bb2 { [%eval 0.43] [%eval 0.38] } 5... c6 { [%eval 0.56] [%eval 0.62] } 6. Nxe7 { [%eval 0.49] [%eval 0.66] } 6... Qxe7 { [%eval 0.61] [%eval 0.49] } 7. Qb3 { [%eval 0.36] [%eval 0.32] } 7... Nf6 { [%eval 0.42] [%eval 0.29] } 8. Nf3 { [%eval 0.28] } 8... e4?! { [%eval 0.85] } { Inaccuracy. d6 was best. } { Stockfish wags a finger at this move, and most of the moves to follow by both sides. I expect inaccuracies can be ignored if you are still making blunders and mistakes. } 9. Nd4 { [%eval 0.85] } 9... O-O?? { [%eval 4.2] } { Blunder. d6 was best. } { The most natural move on the board, but White has a shocking idea in reply:
TACTIC: mating attack } 10. a4?? { [%eval 0.43] } (10. Nf5! Qe6 11. Nxg7 Kxg7 12. Qg3+ Kh8 13. Qg5 $18 { and Black must give up the Queen to escape mate. }) 10... d5 { [%eval 0.53] } 11. g3?! { [%eval -0.17] } { Inaccuracy. e3 was best. } 11... Re8?! { [%eval 0.49] } { Inaccuracy. a5 was best. } 12. h4?! { [%eval -0.52] } { Inaccuracy. cxd5 was best. } 12... Be6? { [%eval 0.66] } { Mistake. a5 was best. } { Black should not surrender his last Bishop. } 13. Bh3?? { [%eval -1.06] } { Blunder. Nxe6 was best. } 13... Qxb4?? { [%eval 6.16] } { This move is so obviously wrong, as is the reply, that I fear I have the wrong moves earlier. } (13... dxc4! { is a free pawn }) 14. Qa2?? { [%eval -1.74] } { Blunder. Qxb4 was best. } 14... Bxh3 { [%eval -1.84] } 15. Rxh3 { [%eval -1.78] } 15... Qd6 { [%eval -1.39] } 16. Nf5 { [%eval -1.92] } { 1-0 White wins. } { Sorry Ben, couldn't follow this any further, and I'm sure the moves above are not right.
If you ever sort it out, send it to me again for comment. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Ben"]
[Black "Bris/Glos"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B27"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening went poorly for White; it's worth picking up the ideas behind one named system against each of the half-open defences. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.17] } (2. c3 { Alapin Sicilian }) (2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 { Closed Sicilian/Grand Prix Attack }) 2... g6 { [%eval 0.64] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.34] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.25] } 4. Bc4 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... Nc6 { [%eval 0.1] } 5. O-O { [%eval 0.0] } { This is normal development in the Italian game but not against the Sicilian. I mean, masters do sometimes play like this, but it's not an exciting Italian game, but a slow and subtle game of manoeuvre. You should have a more suitable Anti-Sicilian system than this, and I can recommend either 2.c3 or 2.Nc3. } 5... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 6. e5 { [%eval -0.25] } { You can just about get away with this, but not the way you played it. } 6... Ng4 { [%eval 0.0] } { TACTIC: decoy, discovery } 7. Re1? { [%eval -1.56] } { Mistake. Bxf7+ was best. } { Meekly giving up a pawn. } (7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Ng5+ Kg8 9. Qxg4) 7... Ngxe5 { [%eval -2.37] } 8. Nxe5 { [%eval -1.5] } 8... Nxe5 { [%eval -1.52] } 9. Bb3 { [%eval -1.58] } 9... O-O { [%eval -1.5] } 10. d3 { [%eval -1.53] } 10... d6 { [%eval -1.48] } 11. h3 { [%eval -1.49] } 11... Bd7 { [%eval -1.5] } 12. Bf4 { [%eval -1.6] } 12... Bc6 { [%eval -1.4] } 13. a4 { [%eval -1.57] } 13... Rb8 { [%eval -1.23] } 14. Bxe5? { [%eval -2.68] } { Mistake. Qd2 was best. } 14... Bxe5 { [%eval -2.78] } { Now Black has the Bishop pair to go with their extra pawn; the DSB in particular will cause you some worries. } 15. Qc1 { [%eval -2.6] } 15... Bg7 { [%eval -2.58] } 16. Nb5 { [%eval -3.26] } 16... Bxb5?! { [%eval -2.25] } { Inaccuracy. a6 was best. } 17. axb5 { [%eval -2.26] } 17... h6?! { [%eval -1.08] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } { The next phase is not played with great accuracy by either player, and if I've got the moves right, you had one big chance:... } 18. Ra2?! { [%eval -2.01] } { Inaccuracy. Rxa7 was best. } 18... Qd7?! { [%eval -1.03] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } 19. Ba4?! { [%eval -1.79] } { Inaccuracy. Rxa7 was best. } 19... Rbc8? { [%eval -0.44] } { Mistake. Qd8 was best. } 20. b3?? { [%eval -2.52] } { Blunder. b6 was best. } 20... Rfe8?? { [%eval 2.76] } { Blunder. Qc7 was best. } 21. Re2?? { [%eval -2.45] } { Blunder. b6 was best. } (21. b6 $18 { TACTIC: discovery }) 21... Qc7? { [%eval -1.06] } { Mistake. b6 was best. } 22. Qe1?! { [%eval -1.78] } { Inaccuracy. b6 was best. } 22... Bd4? { [%eval -0.36] } { Mistake. b6 was best. } 23. Qd2? { [%eval -1.51] } { Mistake. b6 was best. } 23... Bg7?! { [%eval -0.69] } { Inaccuracy. Red8 was best. } 24. Qe1?! { [%eval -1.79] } { Inaccuracy. b6 was best. } 24... Kf8?! { [%eval -0.85] } { Inaccuracy. b6 was best. } 25. Qd1? { [%eval -2.47] } { Mistake. b6 was best. } 25... Bc3? { [%eval -1.1] } { Mistake. Red8 was best. } 26. Kf1?? { [%eval -3.45] } { Blunder. b6 was best. } (26. b6 { Still works, but I'm not sure all these moves are correct. I }) 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales B"]
[Black "Joe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Opening "Slav Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening didn't go well for you but you held on well and equalised, keeping the balance until White made a terrible slip in a level endgame. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... c6 { [%eval 0.28] } 3. e3 { [%eval 0.12] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... Bf5 { [%eval 0.25] } 5. Qb3 { [%eval 0.11] } 5... Qb6 { [%eval 0.17] } 6. c5?! { [%eval -0.43] } { Inaccuracy. Qxb6 was best. } 6... Qxb3?! { [%eval 0.64] } { Inaccuracy. Qc7 was best. } 7. axb3 { [%eval -0.01] } { I think it was Bronstein who showed that the doubled b-pawns are not weak, while the half-open a-file is useful. } 7... g6?! { [%eval 0.65] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } 8. b4 { [%eval 0.53] } 8... Bh6 { [%eval 0.94] } 9. Nf3 { [%eval 0.73] } 9... O-O { [%eval 0.86] } 10. b5 { [%eval 0.57] } 10... Bd7?! { [%eval 1.32] } { Inaccuracy. Bg7 was best. } 11. b6 { [%eval 1.35] } 11... a6 { [%eval 1.59] } { White has masses of Queen's-side space, but what are they to do with it? (Answer: there may be a complex breakthrough possible with b5 and c6 much later in the game.) } 12. Bd3 { [%eval 1.17] } 12... Bg4 { [%eval 1.56] } 13. Ne5 { [%eval 1.41] } 13... Nbd7 { [%eval 1.77] } 14. Nxg4 { [%eval 1.8] } 14... Nxg4 { [%eval 1.68] } 15. O-O?! { [%eval 0.66] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 15... e5! { [%eval 0.59] } { A correct bid for some space of your own. } 16. b4 { [%eval 0.66] } 16... exd4 { [%eval 0.87] } 17. exd4 { [%eval 0.91] } 17... Bg7 { [%eval 0.82] } 18. Ne2 { [%eval 0.97] } 18... Rfe8 { [%eval 1.0] } 19. Bb2 { [%eval 0.58] } 19... Bh6 { [%eval 1.12] } { Rather fidgety! } 20. Rfd1 { [%eval 0.95] } 20... f5 { [%eval 0.98] } 21. Bc1 { [%eval 0.91] } 21... Bxc1?! { [%eval 1.79] } { Inaccuracy. Bg7 was best. } 22. Rdxc1?! { [%eval 0.8] } { Inaccuracy. Nxc1 was best. } 22... Ngf6 { [%eval 1.28] } 23. Rd1 { [%eval 1.2] } 23... Ne4 { [%eval 1.37] } 24. Kf1 { [%eval 1.24] } 24... Kf7 { [%eval 1.11] } 25. Ng3? { [%eval -0.34] } { Mistake. f3 was best. } 25... Nc3?! $14 { [%eval 0.16] } (25... Nxg3+ 26. hxg3 Nf8 27. Ra3 Ne6 28. Bc2 h5 $15 { The white Bishop ought to be good but it isn't; the white d-pawn is a target. Fractionally better for Black }) 26. Rdc1 { [%eval -0.17] } 26... Nb5?! { [%eval 0.25] } { This gives White some Queen's-side ideas at last. } 27. Bxb5 { [%eval 0.24] } 27... axb5 { [%eval 0.14] } 28. Ra5 { [%eval 0.26] } 28... f4 { [%eval 0.36] } 29. Ne2 { [%eval 0.5] } 29... g5 { [%eval 0.35] } 30. Rca1 { [%eval 0.32] } 30... Rab8 { [%eval 0.38] } 31. h3 { [%eval 0.31] } 31... Nf6 { [%eval 0.63] } 32. g3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Nc1 was best. } 32... fxg3 { [%eval 0.0] } 33. Nxg3 { [%eval 0.0] } 33... Kg6 { [%eval 0.0] } { White dominates the a-file, but again finds themselves without much to do with their asset. } 34. R1a3 { [%eval -0.34] } 34... Ne4 { [%eval -0.1] } 35. Nxe4 { [%eval 0.03] } 35... Rxe4 { [%eval 0.05] } 36. Rd3 { [%eval -0.1] } 36... h6 { [%eval 0.0] } 37. Ra7 { [%eval 0.0] } 37... Ree8 { [%eval 0.0] } 38. Re3 { [%eval 0.0] } 38... Rxe3 { [%eval 0.0] } 39. fxe3 { [%eval 0.0] } 39... Kf5 { [%eval 0.0] } 40. Kf2 { [%eval 0.0] } 40... Ke4 { [%eval 0.0] } 41. Ra3 { [%eval 0.0] } 41... Rf8+ { [%eval 0.0] } 42. Ke2 { [%eval 0.0] } 42... h5 { [%eval 0.0] } 43. Ra7 { [%eval 0.0] } 43... Rb8 { [%eval 0.0] } 44. Ra3 { [%eval 0.0] } 44... g4?! { [%eval 0.98] } { Inaccuracy. Rf8 was best. } { A good attitude but not so good a move; Black can't take on too much because White may be able to switch back to attacking the backward b-pawn, or even has some mating threats. But White gets this badly wrong: } 45. hxg4?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Ra1 was best. } (45. Ra1! g3?? (45... Kf5 46. hxg4+ Kxg4 47. Rg1+ Kf5 48. Rg7 h4 49. Rh7 Kg4 50. Kf2 h3 $10) 46. Rf1! { mates! }) 45... hxg4 { [%eval 0.0] } 46. Ra2?? { [%eval -6.27] } { Blunder. Kf2 was best. } { Now the g-pawn becomes a monster. } 46... g3 { [%eval -6.17] } 47. Ra1 { [%eval -6.75] } 47... Rh8 { [%eval -6.23] } 48. Rg1 { [%eval -6.64] } 48... Rh2+ { [%eval -6.35] } 49. Kf1?! { [%eval -34.09] } { Inaccuracy. Kd1 was best. } 49... Kf3 { [%eval -92.37] } 50. e4 { [%eval -46.82] } 50... Rf2+?! { [%eval -6.75] } { Inaccuracy. g2+ was best. } 51. Ke1 { [%eval -6.56] } 51... Re2+ { [%eval -6.64] } 52. Kf1?! { [%eval -73.7] } { Inaccuracy. Kd1 was best. } 52... Rxe4 { [%eval -34.59] } 53. Rh1?! { [%eval #-3] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rg2 was best. } 53... g2+ { [%eval #-2] } 54. Kg1 { [%eval #-2] } 54... gxh1=Q+ { [%eval #-2] } 55. Kxh1 { [%eval #-2] } 55... Kf2 { [%eval #-1] } 56. Kh2 { [%eval #-1] } 56... Rh4# 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Joe"]
[Black "Wilts"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C20"]
[Opening "Center Game"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black's opening moves were awful and you took full advantage, well done. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... e5? { [%eval 1.74] } { Mistake. Nf6 was best. } { The Englund Gambit. There's a lot of this online, with ideas like: } 2. e4?? { [%eval -0.17] } { Blunder. dxe5 was best. } { This transposes to the Centre Game or Danish Gambit, but White has no reason not to take the free pawn. } (2. dxe5! Nc6 (2... Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. exd6 Ne7 5. dxe7?? (5. Nc3 $18) 5... Bxf2+ $19) 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 (4. Nc3! Nxe5 5. e4 $18) 4... Qb4+ 5. Bd2?? (5. Nc3! Qxb2 6. Bd2 Bb4 7. Rb1 Qa3 8. Nd5 Ba5 9. Rb5 $18) 5... Qxb2 6. Bc3 Bb4 7. Qd2 Bxc3 8. Qxc3 Qc1#) 2... f5?? { [%eval 2.4] } { Blunder. exd4 was best. } { I like the attitude but this is absurdly risky. } (2... exd4 3. Qxd4 { Centre Game } (3. c3 { Danish Gambit })) 3. exf5 { [%eval 2.56] } 3... e4? { [%eval 4.31] } { Mistake. Qe7 was best. } 4. Nc3? { [%eval 2.6] } (4. Qh5+! Ke7 5. Bg5+ Nf6 6. Nc3 d5 7. f3 e3 8. O-O-O { and Black is lost }) 4... Qe7? { [%eval 4.71] } { Mistake. Bb4 was best. } 5. Bc4?! { [%eval 3.33] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } { Stockfish is sniffy about some of your moves but your position is never worse than 'winning'. } 5... Nf6 { [%eval 3.19] } 6. Bg5?! { [%eval 2.26] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } 6... e3?? { [%eval 5.0] } { Blunder. c6 was best. } 7. Bxe3?! { [%eval 3.92] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } 7... Ng4? { [%eval 7.93] } { Mistake. Nc6 was best. } 8. Qxg4 { [%eval 8.06] } 8... Qb4 { [%eval 8.48] } 9. Bb3 { [%eval 8.49] } 9... h5 { [%eval 11.16] } 10. Qg6+ { [%eval 11.12] } 10... Ke7?! { [%eval #1] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kd8 was best. } 11. Bg5# 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Joe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Another rather home-made opening as Black led to difficulties, but here Black equalised yet almost immediately blundered away a piece. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. Bf4 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... Nc6?! { [%eval 0.59] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.4] } 3... f6 { [%eval 0.88] } 4. h3 { [%eval 0.67] } 4... Bf5 { [%eval 0.74] } 5. e3 { [%eval 0.5] } 5... Qd7 { [%eval 0.56] } 6. c4 { [%eval 0.49] } 6... Nb4 { [%eval 0.68] } 7. Na3 { [%eval 0.73] } 7... e6 { [%eval 0.72] } 8. Be2 { [%eval 0.92] } 8... dxc4 { [%eval 1.15] } 9. Bxc4 { [%eval 1.45] } 9... Nd5 { [%eval 1.33] } 10. Bxd5? { [%eval -0.25] } { Mistake. Bh2 was best. } 10... Bb4+ { [%eval 0.08] } 11. Nd2 $10 { [%eval -0.12] } 11... Qxd5?? $18 { [%eval 6.26] } { Blunder. exd5 was best. } { TACTIC: fork
ECECEM } (11... exd5 $10) 12. Qa4+ { [%eval 6.53] } 12... c6 { [%eval 8.67] } 13. Qxb4 { [%eval 8.68] } 13... Qxg2? { [%eval 8.88] } { Technically a mistake but what else can you try? } (13... Ne7 14. Qxb7 Rd8 $18) 14. O-O-O { [%eval 8.69] } 14... Ne7 { [%eval 9.23] } 15. Qxb7 { [%eval 9.3] } 15... Kf7 { [%eval 10.65] } 16. Bd6 { [%eval 9.48] } 16... Rhe8 { [%eval 9.38] } 17. Bxe7 { [%eval 9.49] } 17... Rxe7 { [%eval 11.0] } 18. Qxa8 { [%eval 11.08] } { White is more or less a Queen ahead here and won without further trouble. } 18... Qd5 { [%eval 10.87] } 19. Ndc4 { [%eval 11.12] } 19... e5 { [%eval 11.77] } 20. dxe5 { [%eval 11.92] } 20... Qc5 { [%eval 15.9] } 21. Qd8 Rxe5 22. Qd4 Qe7 23. Nxe5+ fxe5 24. Qc4+ Ke8 25. Qxc6+ Kf8 26. Qd6 Qxd6 27. Rxd6 Be4 28. Rhd1 Kg8 29. Rd7 Bf5 30. Rxa7 e4 31. Nb5 h5 32. Rdd7 Bxd7 33. Rxd7 h4 34. Nd6 Kh7 35. Nf5 { There were lots more moves, but sorry to say I couldn't follow the score sheet. If you can come up with a PGN, I will correct the moves, but I think there's not much more to be gained from annotating the remaining moves of this game.
Anyhow, White has a crushing position here and won. } 1-0
[Event "Devon U14 Jamboree 2024: Somerset A - John"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/js5O1aRR/fHCDxln9"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B18"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.13"]
[UTCTime "22:59:24"]
{ A game with a complex plot: White lost a pawn but quickly seized an advantage yet that soon swung to you, then your advantage all but dribbled away, and a draw was agreed. But Stockfish fancies playing Black in the final position. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.27] } 3... dxe4 { [%eval 0.33] } 4. Nxe4 { [%eval 0.21] } 4... Bf5 { [%eval 0.31] } 5. Bd3?! { [%eval -0.51] } { I'm not sure if this pawn sacrifice was deliberate or not. } (5. Ng3 Bg6 { is the main line }) 5... Qxd4 { [%eval -0.27] } 6. Nf3 { [%eval -0.39] } 6... Qd5 { [%eval 0.0] } { The Queen is still a bit of a target here. } (6... Qd8) (6... Qb6) 7. Qe2 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... Na6?! { [%eval 0.9] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } 8. c4 { [%eval 0.39] } 8... Qe6?! { [%eval 1.49] } { Inaccuracy. Qd7 was best. } { Black is getting in a muddle } 9. Bf4?? { [%eval -0.61] } (9. Nd4! { is not easy to meet } 9... Qd7? (9... Bg4!? 10. f3 Qe5 11. Be3 Bd7 12. f4 Qc7 $16 { and White stands well }) 10. Nxf5 Qxf5?? 11. Nd6+) 9... O-O-O?? { [%eval 2.11] } { It was time to bale out with } (9... Bxe4 10. Bxe4 Nf6 11. Bc2) 10. O-O?? $19 { [%eval -1.6] } (10. O-O-O! $18 { keeps White's big advantage }) 10... Rxd3! { [%eval -1.6] } 11. Qxd3 { [%eval -1.69] } 11... Qxe4 { [%eval -1.71] } 12. Qxe4? { [%eval -3.38] } { Mistake. Qd2 was best. } 12... Bxe4 { [%eval -3.3] } 13. Nd2 { [%eval -3.89] } { Black has a big advantage in material but most of that extra material is asleep in bed... } 13... f5?! { [%eval -2.53] } { Inaccuracy. Bg6 was best. } 14. Be3 { [%eval -3.03] } 14... Kb8?! { [%eval -1.92] } { Inaccuracy. Bd3 was best. } 15. Bf4+ { [%eval -2.51] } 15... Kc8 { [%eval -2.49] } (15... Ka8 16. Nxe4 fxe4 17. Rad1) 16. Be3 { [%eval -3.03] } 16... Kb8? { [%eval -1.43] } { Mistake. e5 was best. } (16... e5! 17. Bxa7 Nf6 18. Rfe1 Kc7 19. Be3 Nb4 $19 { and Black is doing very well }) 17. Bf4+ { [%eval -1.1] } 17... Kc8?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Nc7 was best. } (17... Nc7 18. Nxe4 fxe4 19. Rfe1 Nf6 20. Be5 Kc8 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Rxe4 e5 $19 { with two pieces for a Rook, Black has a substantial advantage. }) 18. Be3 { [%eval -3.09] } { Draw by repetition, but Black had every reason to play on. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Lucian"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B30"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A rather home-grown system against the Sicilian was not going that well when Black handed over a piece and then allowed checkmate. It's worth picking up the ideas behind one of the better systems against each of the half-open defences; against the Sicilian I like the Alapin 2.c3 and systems with 2.Nc3. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.17] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.29] } 3. b3 { [%eval -0.15] } 3... d6 { [%eval 0.01] } 4. Bc4 { [%eval -0.22] } 4... Nf6 { [%eval -0.09] } 5. d3?! { [%eval -0.95] } { Inaccuracy. Nc3 was best. } 5... g6 { [%eval -0.46] } 6. Bb2 { [%eval -0.71] } 6... Bg4?! { [%eval -0.26] } { Inviting White to obtain the Bishop pair } (6... Bg7) 7. h3 { [%eval -0.44] } (7. Bxf6!? exf6 { and d5 is weak }) 7... Bxf3 { [%eval -0.4] } 8. Qxf3 { [%eval -0.39] } 8... Bg7 { [%eval -0.47] } 9. g4? { [%eval -1.81] } { A bit extravagant.
Stockfish recommends a return to traditional opening values with plans involving c3 } (9. Bd5!?) 9... h6?! { [%eval -0.96] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } { Not bad but unnecessary } 10. Nd2 { [%eval -1.21] } 10... Nd4 { [%eval -0.69] } (10... O-O) 11. Bxd4 { [%eval -0.56] } 11... cxd4 { [%eval -0.53] } 12. O-O-O?! { [%eval -1.5] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } { I like the attitude but this is not an accurate way to go forward; the White Queen's-side looks weaker than Black's King's-side. } 12... O-O { [%eval -1.57] } 13. h4 { [%eval -1.62] } 13... Qa5 { [%eval -1.87] } 14. g5 { [%eval -2.21] } 14... h5?? { [%eval 2.2] } { Blunder. Nh5 was best. } { Hard to understand -- panic? fingerslip? } (14... Nh5) 15. gxf6 { [%eval 2.4] } 15... Bxf6 { [%eval 2.99] } 16. Rdg1 { [%eval 3.17] } 16... Qxa2?? { [%eval #7] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kh7 was best. } 17. Qxh5?? { [%eval 7.0] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. Rxg6+ was best. } 17... Bg7?? { [%eval #4] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kg7 was best. } 18. Rxg6 { [%eval #5] } 1-0
[Event "Devon U14 Jamboree 2024: John Petsios - S Wales A"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/js5O1aRR/sBiTM3pE"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B50"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.13"]
[UTCTime "23:09:43"]
{ Again your anti-Sicilian led to difficulties for White, thenj you dropped a piece, but you kept plugging away with a King's-side attack which led to a couple of very promising moments, and the score tails off with White having a big advantage in the endgame. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.17] } 2... d6 { [%eval 0.0] } 3. b3 { [%eval -0.17] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval -0.15] } 4. Bb2? { [%eval -0.91] } { Hard to understand -- an oversight or some idea I missed? } (4. e5!) 4... g6?! { [%eval -0.17] } (4... Nxe4 { why not start the game with a free pawn? }) 5. Bc4 { [%eval -0.49] } 5... Bg7 { [%eval -0.62] } 6. d4?! { [%eval -1.48] } { With the diagonal blocked, Black can once again help themselves to your e-pawn. } 6... cxd4?! { [%eval -0.55] } (6... Nxe4!) 7. Bxd4 { [%eval -0.62] } 7... Nc6 { [%eval -0.62] } 8. Bb2 { [%eval -0.8] } 8... O-O { [%eval -0.91] } 9. Nbd2 { [%eval -0.95] } 9... Bg4 { [%eval -0.95] } 10. h3?! { [%eval -1.57] } { Inaccuracy. Bc3 was best. } 10... Bxf3 { [%eval -1.42] } 11. Qxf3 { [%eval -1.6] } 11... Nb4? { [%eval -0.22] } { Black cannot bring themselves to look at that tasty e-pawn... Admittedly this now needs some calculation. } (11... Nxe4! 12. Bxg7 Nxd2) 12. Qc3? { [%eval -1.36] } { Mistake. Qd1 was best. } 12... Nc6?! { [%eval -0.71] } { Inaccuracy. a5 was best. } 13. g4?? { [%eval -5.03] } { drops a piece } (13. O-O-O { first, was essential }) 13... Ne8! { [%eval -4.81] } 14. Qg3 { [%eval -4.96] } 14... Bxb2 { [%eval -5.14] } 15. Rb1 { [%eval -5.24] } 15... Bg7 { [%eval -5.2] } { The best and only thing to do is pursue your attack as if nothing had happened, which is what you do. } 16. h4 { [%eval -5.06] } 16... Be5?! { [%eval -4.21] } { This can only encourage White. } (16... h6) (16... e6) 17. f4 { [%eval -3.95] } 17... Bd4 { [%eval -3.67] } 18. c3 { [%eval -3.47] } 18... Bg7 { [%eval -3.71] } 19. h5 { [%eval -4.28] } 19... Nc7?! { [%eval -2.69] } { Inaccuracy. g5 was best. } { Black continues to waver... } 20. hxg6 { [%eval -2.55] } 20... d5 { [%eval -2.67] } 21. Qh3 { [%eval -2.72] } 21... fxg6?? { [%eval 0.32] } { Blunder. h6 was best. } { One last wobble and White has full compensation for the piece. } (21... h6 22. g5 fxg6 23. gxh6 Bf6 { and Black is holding }) 22. Qxh7+ { [%eval 0.0] } 22... Kf7 { [%eval 0.0] } 23. exd5?! { [%eval -0.97] } { Inaccuracy. Rh6 was best. } 23... Nxd5? { [%eval 0.27] } { Mistake. Rh8 was best. } 24. Ne4 { [%eval 0.0] } (24. Rh6!?) (24. f5!?) 24... Rh8 { [%eval 0.0] } 25. Ng5+ { [%eval 0.0] } 25... Kf6 { [%eval 0.0] } 26. Ne4+ { [%eval 0.0] } 26... Ke6?? { [%eval 2.43] } { Blunder. Kf7 was best. } { Avoiding the perpetual, but the perpetual was very much the frying pan in this situation. } 27. Qxg6+ { [%eval 2.4] } 27... Kd7 { [%eval 2.02] } 28. Rh7?? { [%eval -2.51] } (28. Nc5+! Kc7 29. Ne6+ Kb6 30. Rh5! $18 { and Black's position is hanging across the board }) 28... Rxh7 { [%eval -2.55] } 29. Qxh7 { [%eval -3.02] } 29... Bxc3+?? { [%eval -0.05] } (29... Nxc3! { grovels to equality }) 30. Nxc3 { [%eval -0.03] } 30... Nxc3 { [%eval -0.05] } 31. Qd3+ { [%eval -0.08] } 31... Kc8? { [%eval 1.38] } { Mistake. Kc7 was best. } 32. Qxc3 { [%eval 1.05] } { with an extra piece } 32... Qd4?? { [%eval 4.5] } { Blunder. e5 was best. } 33. Be6+? { [%eval 2.37] } { Mistake. Qxd4 was best. } 33... Kc7 $18 { [%eval 2.21] } { And Black eventually won, but White has a big plus at this stage. } 34. Qxd4 Nxd4 35. Rc1+ Kd6 36. Bc8 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Vincent"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E24"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Accelerated"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Nearly perfect: the story of you steadily building up a big advantage and winning had a small deviation when you allowed White briefly to equalise, and although they soon gave you the advantage again, the game ended in a draw. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } { I thought you were a 1.e4 player! } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.21] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.05] } 3... Bb4 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. a3 { [%eval -0.33] } 4... Bxc3+ { [%eval -0.17] } 5. bxc3 { [%eval -0.11] } 5... c5 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. d5?! { [%eval -0.41] } { Much too cooperative; once the White pawns are fixed, Black can develop much more surely. } 6... d6 { [%eval -0.76] } 7. Nf3 { [%eval -0.72] } 7... O-O { [%eval -0.68] } 8. Bg5 { [%eval -0.81] } { White's compensation for the messy pawns is a bit of space and the Bishop pair, so White should not threaten to give up their better Bishop for a Knight. } 8... Qa5? { [%eval 0.58] } { Mistake. h6 was best. } { A similarly curious decision; White is given the chance to mess up Black's pawns. } (8... h6) 9. Qc2?! { [%eval -0.45] } { Inaccuracy. Bxf6 was best. } 9... Nbd7 { [%eval -0.02] } 10. e4?! { [%eval -1.03] } { Inaccuracy. dxe6 was best. } { White lurches forward, but Black now has a couple of chances to dismantle White's big centre. } 10... Re8 { [%eval -0.72] } (10... Nxe4!) 11. Bd3 { [%eval -1.22] } 11... h6?! { [%eval -0.3] } { Inaccuracy. exd5 was best. } (11... exd5! 12. cxd5 c4 13. Bxc4 Rxe4+ 14. Be2) 12. Bxf6 { [%eval -0.34] } 12... Nxf6 { [%eval -0.36] } 13. O-O { [%eval -0.38] } 13... Bd7 { [%eval -0.19] } 14. e5?! { [%eval -0.96] } { Inaccuracy. Nd2 was best. } 14... dxe5 { [%eval -1.0] } 15. Nxe5 { [%eval -1.03] } 15... Ba4 { [%eval -1.0] } 16. Qd2?! { [%eval -1.8] } { Inaccuracy. Qb2 was best. } 16... exd5 { [%eval -1.88] } 17. Rfe1 { [%eval -2.5] } 17... d4 { [%eval -2.37] } 18. Rac1 { [%eval -2.43] } 18... Re6 { [%eval -1.88] } 19. Nf3?! { [%eval -2.97] } { Inaccuracy. Qb2 was best. } 19... Rae8? { [%eval -1.45] } 20. Kf1?? { [%eval -3.57] } { Blunder. Rxe6 was best. } (20. Rxe6 Rxe6 21. cxd4 Qxd2 22. Nxd2 cxd4 23. Rb1 $19 { is not quite as bad }) 20... Rxe1+ { [%eval -3.46] } 21. Nxe1 { [%eval -3.2] } 21... Ne4 { [%eval -2.94] } 22. Bxe4 { [%eval -2.84] } 22... Rxe4 { [%eval -2.85] } 23. Nf3 { [%eval -2.82] } 23... Bd7 { [%eval -2.74] } (23... Bb3!) 24. Qb2 { [%eval -3.38] } 24... Qa6? { [%eval -2.0] } { Mistake. dxc3 was best. } 25. cxd4 { [%eval -2.08] } 25... cxd4 { [%eval -2.03] } 26. Nxd4 { [%eval -2.08] } 26... Be6?? { [%eval -0.12] } { this is natural and it's hard to see why it's so much worse than ...Qf6 } (26... Qf6! { pushes White onto the defensive } 27. Rd1 (27. Qxb7?? Qxd4 { is crushing }) 27... Qe5! { hits h2. The power of centralisation! } 28. f3 Ba4 29. fxe4 Bxd1 30. Qd2 Ba4 { and a White pawn must fall } { [%csl Re4,Rh2] }) 27. Nxe6 { [%eval -0.18] } 27... Rxe6 { [%eval -0.18] } 28. Qb3 { [%eval -0.13] } 28... Kf8 { [%eval -0.03] } 29. Qb4+ { [%eval -0.07] } 29... Ke8 { [%eval 0.0] } 30. Qb5+ { [%eval -0.07] } 30... Qc6 { [%eval -0.12] } { Pawn endgames are very hard to turn around so if you are going to play into one, you had better be very sure that you are happy with what is going to happen! Here White just swaps off into a lost endgame. } 31. Re1?? { [%eval -3.51] } { Blunder. Qa5 was best. } 31... Rxe1+ { [%eval -3.27] } 32. Kxe1 { [%eval -3.19] } 32... Qxb5 { [%eval -3.06] } 33. cxb5 { [%eval -2.77] } 33... Kd7 { [%eval -3.17] } 34. Kd2 { [%eval -2.91] } 34... Kd6 { [%eval -2.46] } 35. Kd3? { [%eval -4.04] } { Mistake. Kc3 was best. } 35... Kc5 { [%eval -3.8] } { Was this the final position? Black is winning here... Nerves got the better of you? } 36. a4 Kb4 37. b6 axb6 38. Kd4 Kxa4 39. Kc4 b5+ 40. Kc3 b4+ 41. Kb2 b3 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales B"]
[Black "Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B11"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You had a nice centre but allowed it to get blockaded. The advantage wafted back and forth; in the final position White had a plus. I think you had to be brave and take the a-pawn. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.28] } 3... Bg4 { [%eval 0.36] } 4. Be2 { [%eval 0.23] } (4. h3 { is the only way for White to seek an advantage. }) 4... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 5. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... Nf6 { [%eval 0.48] } 6. e5 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Nfd7 { [%eval 0.33] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.14] } 7... Be7?! { [%eval 0.3] } (7... c5! { needs to be played fairly soon }) 8. Be3?! { [%eval -0.26] } { Inaccuracy. Ne1 was best. } (8. Ne1 Bxe2 9. Qxe2 c5 $10) 8... c5 { [%eval -0.28] } 9. Re1?! { [%eval -0.72] } { The Rook has poor prospects on this file. } 9... cxd4?! { [%eval -0.18] } (9... Bxf3 10. Bxf3 cxd4 11. Bxd4 Nc6! $17) 10. Nxd4 { [%eval -0.16] } 10... Bxe2 { [%eval -0.08] } 11. Qxe2 { [%eval -0.11] } 11... Nc6 { [%eval -0.16] } 12. Nxc6 { [%eval -0.33] } 12... bxc6 { [%eval -0.36] } 13. Rad1 { [%eval -0.29] } 13... O-O { [%eval -0.34] } 14. Bf4 { [%eval -0.35] } 14... Rb8 { [%eval -0.32] } 15. b3 { [%eval -0.34] } 15... Bb4 { [%eval -0.37] } 16. Bd2 { [%eval -0.37] } 16... Qa5 { [%eval -0.21] } 17. Nb1? { [%eval -1.35] } { Mistake. Na4 was best. } 17... Bxd2 { [%eval -0.98] } 18. Nxd2 { [%eval -0.96] } 18... c5?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Perfectly logical but maybe not to the point. } (18... Qxa2! $17) 19. c4 { [%eval -0.12] } 19... d4?! { [%eval 0.53] } { Inaccuracy. Qxa2 was best. } { this opens up some squares for White's Knight } (19... Qxa2 { is still better }) 20. Nf3?! { [%eval -0.27] } { Inaccuracy. Ne4 was best. } (20. Ne4 Nxe5 21. Nxc5) 20... Rfd8 { [%eval 0.0] } 21. Rd3 { [%eval 0.0] } 21... Rb6 { [%eval 0.04] } 22. a4 { [%eval 0.18] } 22... Nb8 { [%eval 0.38] } { White's advantage has ebbed away, and now Black gets the initiative. } 23. Qd2?! { [%eval -0.71] } { Inaccuracy. Kf1 was best. } 23... Nc6 { [%eval -0.96] } 24. Qxa5 { [%eval -1.21] } 24... Nxa5 { [%eval -1.29] } 25. Nd2 { [%eval -1.28] } 25... Rdb8 { [%eval -1.41] } 26. Rb1 { [%eval -1.22] } 26... Nc6 { [%eval -1.0] } 27. f4 $17 { [%eval -0.94] } 27... Kf8?? { [%eval 0.73] } { Blunder. Na5 was best. } { Again very natural, but it gives White moment to breathe } (27... Na5! 28. Kf2 { keeps White pinned down. } 28... Kf8) 28. Ne4! $16 { [%eval 0.67] } { Black is dropping a pawn. } 28... Nb4 { [%eval 0.93] } 29. Rh3 $18 { [%eval 0.85] } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Wilts"]
[Black "Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black gave up a pawn early on in a position that was hard to make very dynamic, and wearily overlooked a simple tactic to lose the Queen for a Rook. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. Bb5 { [%eval 0.34] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.34] } { The fashionable Berlin Defence, which is so frustrating for White to face that at top level the old Italian Game is making a comeback. } 4. d3 { [%eval 0.25] } 4... Bc5 { [%eval 0.22] } 5. Bxc6 { [%eval 0.18] } { Doesn't look right to give up the Bishop without being asked, but has been played thousands of times. } 5... dxc6 { [%eval 0.15] } 6. Nbd2 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... O-O { [%eval 0.17] } 7. Nc4 { [%eval 0.03] } { White has made a swift attack on e5, but White needs to secure against the reply ...Qd4 } 7... Be6?! { [%eval 0.89] } { Gives up any tactical defence of e5. } (7... Nd7 8. O-O (8. Ncxe5?? Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Qd4 $19) 8... f6 $10) 8. Ncxe5 { [%eval 0.96] } { White has an extra pawn and a position with no weaknesses. } 8... Bg4? { [%eval 2.73] } { Mistake. Nd7 was best. } { Loses time, and the Bishop pair must have been some help to Black } 9. Nxg4 { [%eval 2.61] } 9... Nxg4 { [%eval 2.78] } 10. O-O { [%eval 2.31] } 10... Re8?! { [%eval 3.1] } { Inaccuracy. Nf6 was best. } { White stands very well. It doesn't look dramatic but that centre can roll forward, while Black has no comparable plan that can work. } 11. Bd2?! { [%eval 1.92] } (11. d4! Bb6 12. e5 f6 13. h3 Nh6 14. c4 $18 { Wagons roll... }) 11... Bd6 { [%eval 1.97] } 12. h3 { [%eval 2.08] } 12... Ne5 { [%eval 1.94] } 13. d4 { [%eval 1.42] } 13... Nxf3+ { [%eval 1.39] } 14. Qxf3 { [%eval 1.33] } 14... Qh4?! { [%eval 2.39] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } 15. e5 { [%eval 2.1] } 15... Be7 { [%eval 2.24] } 16. c3 { [%eval 2.27] } 16... Bg5 { [%eval 2.24] } 17. Bxg5 { [%eval 2.27] } 17... Qxg5 { [%eval 2.19] } 18. Rfe1 { [%eval 2.17] } 18... Rad8 { [%eval 2.3] } 19. Rad1 { [%eval 2.34] } 19... Re6 { [%eval 2.72] } 20. Re4 { [%eval 2.45] } 20... g6 { [%eval 2.57] } { White's central and space advantage persists, and it can be turned into an attack. } 21. Rf4 { [%eval 2.18] } 21... Rf8 { [%eval 2.65] } 22. Rg4 { [%eval 2.43] } 22... Qh5 { [%eval 2.69] } 23. Qf4? { [%eval 1.11] } { Mistake. Qd3 was best. } 23... g5?? { [%eval 6.42] } { Blunder. f5 was best. } 24. Rxg5+ { [%eval 6.44] } 24... Qxg5 { [%eval 6.33] } 25. Qxg5+ { [%eval 6.47] } 25... Kh8 { [%eval 6.52] } 26. Qe3 { [%eval 6.51] } 26... Rg8 { [%eval 6.47] } 27. Qf3 { [%eval 6.47] } 27... Kg7 { [%eval 6.57] } 28. Qh5 { [%eval 6.52] } 28... Rg6 { [%eval 6.32] } 29. Rd3 { [%eval 6.45] } 29... Kh8 { [%eval 6.1] } 30. Rg3 { [%eval 6.19] } 30... b6 { [%eval 6.37] } 31. Rxg6 { [%eval 6.21] } 31... fxg6 { [%eval 6.67] } 32. Qg5 { [%eval 6.34] } 32... c5?? { [%eval #7] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Re8 was best. } 33. d5? { [%eval 9.7] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. Qf6+ was best. } 33... Kg7? { [%eval #6] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rf8 was best. } 34. Qf6+ { [%eval #5] } 34... Kh6 { [%eval #5] } 35. e6 { [%eval #5] } 35... Re8?? { [%eval #5] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. c6 was best. } 36. Qf7 { [%eval #5] } 36... Rd8 { [%eval #5] } 37. e7 { [%eval #4] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Shreyas"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D15"]
[Opening "Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You started well in the opening, grabbing a pawn, but after spending more time pawn-hunting, you gave up castling rights and gradually lost the thread while Black took over the game. Defending is tough! }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... c6 { [%eval 0.28] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.16] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.27] } 4. Nf3 { [%eval 0.31] } 4... Bf5?! { [%eval 0.74] } { If Black could get away with this, then the Slav would be more popular! } (4... dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 { gets in this good Bishop move, at the price of giving up the centre. }) 5. Qb3 { [%eval 0.33] } (5. cxd5! { is more accurate: } 5... cxd5 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. Nxd5!) 5... e6?? { [%eval 2.87] } { Blunder. Qb6 was best. } 6. Qxb7 { [%eval 2.59] } 6... Nbd7 { [%eval 2.7] } { Right, you have a pawn and a winning plan -- swap off and win the endgame. But what is Black to do? Answer: Try to attack using open lines and stop White from getting sorted out. Knowing this, you should shut down the position with c4-c5, when you can develop in more safety. } 7. Qxc6?! { [%eval 1.97] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } { With hindsight, clearly too greedy, Black can now develop quickly with threats. } 7... Rc8 { [%eval 1.81] } 8. Qa4?! { [%eval 1.0] } { Inaccuracy. Qa6 was best. } 8... Rxc4 { [%eval 0.96] } 9. Qxa7 { [%eval 0.96] } 9... Bb4 { [%eval 1.19] } 10. Bd2 { [%eval 1.14] } 10... Ne4 { [%eval 1.39] } 11. e3 { [%eval 1.23] } 11... Rc7 { [%eval 1.16] } 12. Qa4 { [%eval 1.21] } 12... Nxd2? { [%eval 3.07] } { Mistake. Bxc3 was best. } 13. Kxd2?? { [%eval 0.1] } (13. Qxb4! { I don't know if you noticed this, but it should have been on your list of choices! This move gives Black problems with castling, while your chosen move leaves your King stranded in the centre. }) 13... Be7? { [%eval 1.3] } (13... Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 O-O { White's pawns do not look threatening, while Black has an initiative. }) 14. Nb5? { [%eval -0.28] } { Mistake. Bd3 was best. } { This is a one-move attack which has a simple one-move defence, and does nothing to get your position sorted. } 14... Rc8? { [%eval 1.1] } { Mistake. Rc2+ was best. } 15. Bd3 { [%eval 1.05] } 15... O-O?! { [%eval 1.68] } { Inaccuracy. Nb6 was best. } 16. Rac1? { [%eval 0.25] } { Mistake. Bxf5 was best. } 16... Nb6?! { [%eval 1.01] } { Inaccuracy. Ra8 was best. } 17. Qd1?? { [%eval -0.89] } { Blunder. Qb3 was best. } 17... Bxd3 { [%eval -0.94] } 18. Kxd3 $17 { [%eval -1.18] } { This position is not easy and the best moves are hard to find for both players. } 18... Nc4? { [%eval 0.23] } { Mistake. Rxc1 was best. } (18... Rxc1 19. Qxc1 Qa8 $17 { Black should proceed this way in the manner of the Benko Gambit, with advantage. } 20. Nc3 (20. a3?? Qa6 $19) 20... Bb4 21. a3 Qa6+ 22. Kd2 Nc4+ 23. Kd1 Bxc3 24. Qxc3 Rb8 $19) 19. Rc2?? { [%eval -3.45] } { Blunder. Rb1 was best. } { This fails to a typical Benko tactic. } 19... Qb6?? { [%eval -0.37] } (19... Qa5! { wins as } 20. Nc3?? Nxb2+! $19) 20. a4 { [%eval -0.41] } 20... Qa5 { [%eval 0.0] } 21. b3 { [%eval 0.0] } 21... Na3 { [%eval 0.0] } 22. Nxa3 { [%eval 0.07] } 22... Bxa3 { [%eval 0.16] } 23. Qa1?? { [%eval -6.6] } (23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Ke2 { and White can hang on }) 23... Rxc2?? { [%eval -2.09] } { Blunder. Qa6+ was best. } { which is similar to the game } 24. Kxc2 { [%eval -2.01] } 24... Rc8+ { [%eval -1.92] } 25. Kd3?? { [%eval #-6] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kb1 was best. } 25... Qa6+ { [%eval #-5] } 26. Kd2 { [%eval #-5] } 26... Bb4+ { [%eval #-4] } 27. Kd1 { [%eval #-2] } 27... Qd3+ { [%eval #-1] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Oscar"]
[Black "S Wales A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B45"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Normal Variation"]
{ I'm struggling to say anything sensible about this game as I am suspicious that I have the position incorrect at several points. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.25] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.28] } 3... Nc6 { [%eval 0.49] } 4. d4 { [%eval 0.25] } 4... cxd4 { [%eval 0.32] } 5. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.33] } 5... Qb6? { [%eval 2.05] } { Mistake. a6 was best. } 6. Nf3?? { [%eval 0.28] } { Blunder. Ndb5 was best. } (6. Ndb5) 6... Nf6 { [%eval 0.23] } 7. Bd3 { [%eval 0.31] } 7... Be7 { [%eval 0.59] } 8. O-O { [%eval 0.29] } 8... a6 { [%eval 0.71] } 9. a4?! { [%eval 0.04] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } (9. e5 Ng4 10. Bf4 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. a3 O-O 13. Re1) 9... O-O?! { [%eval 0.64] } { Inaccuracy. Qc7 was best. } (9... Qc7 10. h3) 10. h3?! { [%eval 0.06] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } (10. e5 Ng4 11. Qe2 f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Ne4) 10... Qc7 { [%eval 0.0] } 11. Re1 { [%eval 0.07] } 11... d6 { [%eval 0.06] } 12. Bf4 { [%eval -0.02] } 12... b6 { [%eval 0.14] } 13. e5 { [%eval 0.15] } 13... dxe5 { [%eval 0.18] } 14. Nxe5 { [%eval 0.21] } 14... Nxe5?! { [%eval 0.77] } { Inaccuracy. Bd6 was best. } (14... Bd6) 15. Bxe5 { [%eval 0.9] } 15... Qc6?? { [%eval 5.37] } { Blunder. Qc5 was best. } (15... Qc5 16. Bd4) 16. Qf3?? { [%eval -0.22] } { Blunder. Bxf6 was best. } (16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Be4) 16... Qxf3 { [%eval -0.19] } 17. gxf3 { [%eval -0.27] } 17... Bb7 { [%eval -0.26] } 18. Re3? { [%eval -1.39] } { Mistake. Bd4 was best. } (18. Bd4) 18... Bc5 { [%eval -1.47] } 19. Ree1 { [%eval -1.41] } 19... Bxf3 { [%eval -1.3] } 20. Bc7?! { [%eval -2.2] } { Inaccuracy. Ne4 was best. } (20. Ne4) 20... Rae8?? { [%eval -0.13] } { Blunder. h6 was best. } 21. Bf4?? { [%eval -2.14] } { Blunder. Bxa6 was best. } 21... Nd5?? { [%eval 0.24] } { Blunder. a5 was best. } (21... a5) 22. Nxd5 { [%eval 0.18] } 22... Bxd5 { [%eval 0.23] } 23. Bxa6 { [%eval 0.24] } 23... Ra8 { [%eval 0.2] } 24. Bf1 { [%eval 0.07] } 24... Rfe8 { [%eval 0.44] } 25. Be3 { [%eval 0.08] } 25... Bxe3 { [%eval 0.02] } 26. Rxe3 { [%eval 0.07] } 26... Rac8 { [%eval 0.27] } 27. c3 { [%eval 0.13] } 27... e5?! { [%eval 1.16] } { Inaccuracy. Kf8 was best. } 28. Rd1?! { [%eval 0.58] } { Inaccuracy. a5 was best. } 28... Bb3 { [%eval 0.56] } 29. Rd6 { [%eval 0.61] } 29... Bxa4 { [%eval 0.58] } 30. Rxb6 { [%eval 0.61] } 30... Bb3?? { [%eval 5.05] } { Blunder. Rb8 was best. } (30... Rb8 31. Rxb8) 31. Ba6?? { [%eval 1.38] } { Blunder. Rxb3 was best. } 31... Rb8 { [%eval 1.55] } 32. Rxb8 { [%eval 1.57] } 32... Rxb8 { [%eval 1.49] } 33. c4? { [%eval 0.07] } { Mistake. Rxe5 was best. } (33. Rxe5) 33... Ba4 { [%eval 0.08] } 34. Re2 { [%eval -0.25] } 34... f6 { [%eval -0.17] } 35. Kf1? { [%eval -1.32] } { Mistake. c5 was best. } (35. c5) 35... Kf7?! { [%eval -0.75] } { Inaccuracy. Bd7 was best. } 36. Rd2 { [%eval -0.88] } 36... Ke6?! { [%eval -0.18] } { Inaccuracy. Rb6 was best. } 37. Ke2?! { [%eval -0.82] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } 37... f5?! { [%eval -0.04] } { Inaccuracy. Rb6 was best. } 38. Kf3?? { [%eval -1.82] } { Blunder. c5 was best. } 38... g5? { [%eval -0.49] } { Mistake. Bc6+ was best. } 39. c5 { [%eval -0.44] } 39... Bc6+ { [%eval 0.0] } 40. Kg3 { [%eval -0.05] } 40... Rb3+ { [%eval 0.0] } 41. Kh2 { [%eval 0.0] } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Joel"]
[Black "Bris/Glos"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C44"]
[Opening "Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Tartakower once wisely remarked that the winner of a game of chess is the one who makes the next-to-last blunder... After giving a huge chance to your opponent in the opening phase, I might have guessed it was all over, but White missed it and the advantage swung back and forth a couple of times after that. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. c3 { [%eval -0.13] } { The Ponziani Opening. Black has several decent defences: } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.0] } (3... d5 4. Qa4 (4. Bb5?! { This is not good but it is very complicated and unbalanced, and Black cannot afford to go wrong at any point. } 4... dxe4 $17 (4... f6 $10) 5. Nxe5!? Qg5! 6. Qa4 (6. Nxc6 Qxb5 $19) 6... Qxg2 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Qxc6+ Kd8 9. Rf1 Bh3 10. Qxa8+ Ke7 11. Kd1 Qxf1+ 12. Kc2 Bf5 13. Qc6 Qe2 14. Qxc7+ Kf6 15. Nd7+ Kg5! 16. Nxf8 Nf6! $17 { This is great for Black if you can get this far... }) 4... f6 $10) 4. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... d6?! { [%eval 0.73] } { Inaccuracy. Nxe4 was best. } (4... Nxe4 5. d5 Ne7 6. Nxe5 Ng6 $10) 5. Be3 { [%eval 0.28] } 5... Qe7 { [%eval 0.75] } { Black is getting in a muddle; this is unkind to your Bf8 } 6. Bb5 { [%eval 0.61] } 6... Bd7 { [%eval 0.49] } 7. Qa4 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... O-O-O?? { [%eval 2.0] } (7... exd4! 8. cxd4 Qxe4 $15) 8. d5 { [%eval 1.96] } 8... Nb8 { [%eval 2.02] } 9. Bxd7+ { [%eval 2.0] } 9... Nbxd7?! $18 { [%eval 3.21] } { Inaccuracy. Qxd7 was best. } { White has a winning position, but it all starts to slide from here. } 10. Nbd2?! { [%eval 2.18] } (10. Qxa7! Nb8 (10... Nxe4 11. Qa8+ Nb8 12. Ba7 Nc5 13. b4) 11. Nbd2) 10... a6 { [%eval 2.11] } 11. Qc4?! { [%eval 1.24] } { Inaccuracy. b4 was best. } 11... Ng4 { [%eval 1.07] } 12. Bg5? { [%eval -0.4] } { Mistake. Ba7 was best. } 12... f6 { [%eval -0.29] } 13. h3? { [%eval -0.73] } 13... Nxf2! { [%eval -0.53] } 14. Bxf6?! { [%eval -1.17] } { Inaccuracy. Kxf2 was best. } 14... Nxf6 { [%eval -0.68] } 15. Kxf2 { [%eval -0.63] } 15... g6 { [%eval -0.51] } 16. Ng5? $19 { [%eval -2.21] } { Mistake. g4 was best. } { Now Black is better } 16... Bh6 { [%eval -2.02] } (16... Nxd5! 17. exd5 Qxg5) 17. Ndf3 { [%eval -2.36] } 17... Nd7?? { [%eval 0.42] } { Blunder. Bxg5 was best. } (17... Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Nxd5! { still works }) 18. Ne6 { [%eval 0.37] } 18... Nb6 { [%eval 0.59] } 19. Qd3 { [%eval 0.61] } 19... Rde8 { [%eval 0.73] } 20. b3?! { [%eval 0.18] } { Inaccuracy. c4 was best. } 20... c6 { [%eval 0.11] } 21. c4 { [%eval 0.12] } 21... c5?? { [%eval 2.24] } { Blunder. cxd5 was best. } { Now White can open the b-file against your King } (21... cxd5! 22. cxd5 (22. exd5 Nd7 { aims to get your passed e-pawn moving }) 22... Kb8 { and now you can play ...Rc8 when White can't reply Rc1 }) 22. Rab1 { [%eval 2.3] } 22... Qf7 { [%eval 2.24] } 23. Ke2 { [%eval 1.74] } 23... Bf4 { [%eval 2.32] } 24. Rhg1 { [%eval 1.77] } 24... Re7 { [%eval 1.79] } 25. g3 { [%eval 1.73] } 25... Bh6 { [%eval 1.75] } 26. Qc3?! { [%eval 0.68] } { Inaccuracy. Rgf1 was best. } 26... Kb8?! { [%eval 1.37] } { Inaccuracy. Nd7 was best. } 27. b4?! { [%eval 0.54] } { Inaccuracy. Rgf1 was best. } { Finally! But it's a bit too late } 27... Na4?? { [%eval 3.36] } { Blunder. Rxe6 was best. } (27... Rxe6 28. dxe6 Qxe6 { gets value for the Exchange } { [%csl Rc4] } 29. bxc5 Na4 30. Qc2 Nxc5 $10) 28. Qb3? { [%eval 1.43] } { Mistake. Qc2 was best. } 28... Qe8 { [%eval 1.44] } 29. b5 { [%eval 1.6] } 29... axb5 { [%eval 1.6] } { Now, assuming this position is right, you both miss something important! } 30. Qxb5?? { [%eval -5.22] } { Blunder. cxb5 was best. } 30... Qxb5?? { [%eval -1.88] } { Blunder. Nc3+ was best. } 31. cxb5 { [%eval -1.85] } 31... Nc3+ { [%eval -2.04] } { with check, suggesting that the position was correct... } 32. Kd3 { [%eval -1.9] } 32... Nxb1 { [%eval -2.08] } 33. Rxb1 { [%eval -1.77] } 33... b6 { [%eval -2.07] } { Well, this is still winning for Black. } 34. Nd2?! { [%eval -3.22] } { Inaccuracy. g4 was best. } 34... Bxd2 { [%eval -3.33] } 35. Kxd2 { [%eval -3.27] } 35... Rf7 { [%eval -3.22] } 36. Ke3 { [%eval -3.88] } 36... Rc8 { [%eval -4.02] } 37. a4 { [%eval -4.15] } 37... c4 { [%eval -4.39] } 38. Rc1 { [%eval -4.62] } 38... c3 { [%eval -4.15] } 39. h4 { [%eval -4.57] } 39... c2 { [%eval -5.18] } 40. g4 { [%eval -5.23] } 40... Rf1? { [%eval -2.65] } { This is a fancy way to swap Rooks, losing a pawn on the way! } (40... Ra7 41. h5 gxh5 42. gxh5 Rxa4 43. h6 Ra3+ 44. Kd2 Rh3 $19) 41. Rxf1 { [%eval -2.91] } 41... c1=Q+ { [%eval -2.72] } 42. Rxc1 { [%eval -2.67] } 42... Rxc1 { [%eval -2.87] } 43. Ng5?! { [%eval -4.2] } { Inaccuracy. Kf2 was best. } 43... Rh1 { [%eval -3.72] } 44. Nxh7 { [%eval -4.25] } 44... Rxh4 { [%eval -3.91] } 45. Nf6 { [%eval -4.01] } 45... Rh3+ { [%eval -4.27] } 46. Kf2 $19 { [%eval -4.14] } 46... Ra3?? $17 { [%eval -0.53] } { Blunder. Kc7 was best. } 47. Ne8 { [%eval -0.76] } 47... Rxa4 { [%eval -0.77] } 48. Nxd6?? $19 { [%eval -3.25] } { Blunder. Ke3 was best. } (48. Ke3! $17 { The d-pawn will not run away. White still stands worse, but it's not over. }) 48... Kc7 { [%eval -2.8] } 49. Nf7? { [%eval -5.18] } { Mistake. Ne8+ was best. } 49... Rxe4 { [%eval -4.52] } 50. d6+ { [%eval -4.99] } 50... Kd7 { [%eval -4.99] } 51. Kf1?? { [%eval #-22] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kg3 was best. } { TACTIC: fork } 51... Rf4+ { [%eval #-25] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Lucian"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D20"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Alekhine System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening was all over the place but once you got the bit between your teeth you were off and running for the line. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... dxc4 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. e4 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.45] } 4. Nc3?! { [%eval -0.4] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } 4... Bg4? { [%eval 0.97] } { Mistake. e5 was best. } 5. Be2?! { [%eval 0.17] } { Inaccuracy. f3 was best. } 5... h5?? { [%eval 2.25] } { Blunder. Bxe2 was best. } 6. e5? { [%eval 0.93] } { Mistake. f3 was best. } (6. f3! Bd7 (6... Bc8 7. Bxc4) (6... Be6 7. d5 Bc8 8. Bxc4) 7. e5) 6... Nd5 { [%eval 0.75] } 7. Nxd5?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } 7... Qxd5 { [%eval 0.0] } 8. Bxg4?! { [%eval -1.04] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } 8... hxg4 { [%eval -1.3] } 9. Qxg4 $17 { [%eval -1.05] } { White has a bad Bishop and a weak d-pawn } 9... Qe6?? $18 { [%eval 2.19] } { Blunder. e6 was best. } 10. Qe4?? { [%eval -0.43] } (10. Qxe6 fxe6 $16 { and Black is full of holes }) 10... c6?! { [%eval 0.49] } { Inaccuracy. Nc6 was best. } 11. Ne2 { [%eval 0.64] } 11... Qd5 { [%eval 0.33] } 12. Nc3 { [%eval 0.22] } 12... Qa5? { [%eval 1.86] } { Mistake. Qxe4+ was best. } 13. Bd2 $16 { [%eval 1.39] } { Black has been fidgeting with the Queen while White develops. } 13... f5?? { [%eval 7.47] } { Blunder. e6 was best. } { Asking for trouble, which duly appears. } 14. Qxf5 { [%eval 7.41] } 14... e6 { [%eval 10.06] } 15. Qg6+ { [%eval 8.41] } 15... Ke7 { [%eval 12.4] } 16. Bg5+ { [%eval 12.35] } 16... Kd7 { [%eval 12.04] } 17. Qf7+ { [%eval 11.87] } 17... Kc8?! { [%eval #2] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Be7 was best. } 18. Qe8+ { [%eval #1] } 18... Kc7 { [%eval #1] } 19. Bd8+ { [%eval #1] } 19... Kc8 { [%eval #1] } 20. Bxa5# 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Lucian"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C44"]
[Opening "Scotch Game: Lolli Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ An agonising draw after having been well and truly let off the hook in the opening. The final blockade reminded me of the amusing finish of Petrosian-Hazai... }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.05] } { The Scotch is the third most common system played at this point by masters and amateurs (20% and 10% of games respectively), and you should have your defence to it worked out by now. There is a recommendation on the DJCA YouTube channel. } 3... Nxd4?! { [%eval 0.64] } { Inaccuracy. exd4 was best. } 4. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.72] } 4... exd4 { [%eval 0.4] } 5. Qxd4 { [%eval 0.77] } { White has a central pawn and a dominating Queen -- advantage to White. } 5... c5? { [%eval 2.32] } { Mistake. Qf6 was best. } { A one-move attack that does not help your development and only weakens your pawn structure. } 6. Qd1?! { [%eval 1.56] } { Inaccuracy. Qe3 was best. } (6. Qe3 { keeps the Queen in play. }) 6... d6 { [%eval 1.61] } 7. Bb5+ { [%eval 1.4] } 7... Bd7 { [%eval 1.49] } 8. Bxd7+ { [%eval 1.09] } 8... Qxd7 { [%eval 1.1] } 9. O-O { [%eval 0.86] } 9... Rd8 { [%eval 0.92] } 10. c4 { [%eval 0.7] } 10... g6 { [%eval 0.92] } { The B will be good on g7 but this takes an extra move to get castled and that is a risk. } 11. Bf4 { [%eval 0.55] } 11... Bg7 { [%eval 0.54] } 12. Nc3 { [%eval 0.62] } 12... a6?! { [%eval 1.44] } { Inaccuracy. Ne7 was best. } (12... Ne7 { You must pick up a piece instead of a pawn if you can }) 13. Nd5 { [%eval 1.48] } 13... Ne7?! { [%eval 2.14] } { Inaccuracy. h6 was best. } 14. Bg5 { [%eval 2.03] } { Now Black is in terrible trouble. } 14... Bf8?? { [%eval #1] } { Wow, is this really the position? } (14... Nxd5 15. Bxd8 Nf4 16. Bg5 Ne6 17. Be3 b5 $18 { and the game can continue }) 15. Bh6?? { [%eval 0.0] } (15. Nf6# { is good for White... }) 15... Nxd5 { [%eval -0.04] } 16. exd5?? $19 { [%eval -4.5] } { Overlooking... } (16. Bxf8! $10) 16... Bxh6 { [%eval -4.41] } 17. a3 { [%eval -5.36] } 17... O-O { [%eval -5.38] } 18. b4 { [%eval -5.42] } 18... b6 { [%eval -5.21] } 19. b5 { [%eval -5.65] } 19... a5 { [%eval -4.81] } 20. Re1 { [%eval -4.88] } 20... Bg7 { [%eval -4.78] } 21. Rb1 { [%eval -5.01] } 21... Rfe8 { [%eval -5.14] } 22. Qf3 { [%eval -4.77] } 22... Rxe1+ { [%eval -4.57] } 23. Rxe1 { [%eval -4.39] } 23... Re8 { [%eval -4.57] } 24. Rxe8+ { [%eval -5.15] } 24... Qxe8 { [%eval -4.91] } 25. h3?! { [%eval -6.5] } { Inaccuracy. g4 was best. } 25... Qe1+ { [%eval -6.32] } 26. Kh2 { [%eval -6.14] } 26... Qe5+ { [%eval -5.55] } 27. g3 { [%eval -5.48] } 27... Qf6 { [%eval -4.85] } 28. Qe2 { [%eval -4.41] } 28... Qe5 { [%eval -4.43] } 29. Qg4 { [%eval -4.82] } 29... Qf5 { [%eval -4.86] } 30. Qxf5 { [%eval -4.86] } 30... gxf5 { [%eval -4.8] } 31. h4?! { [%eval -7.01] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } 31... Be5?! { [%eval -5.38] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } 32. f4?! { [%eval -7.64] } { Inaccuracy. Kg2 was best. } { Now would have been a good time to pause and make a plan. } (32. a4) 32... Bb2 { [%eval -7.48] } 33. a4 { [%eval -7.48] } 33... Kg7 { [%eval -8.25] } 34. Kg2 { [%eval -6.88] } 34... h5?? { [%eval -0.48] } { Blunder. Kh6 was best. } { You know it now, but this takes away your last way to get your King behind the White defensive line. It stops h4-h5 and g3-g4 of course, but those were no threat to you. } 35. Kf3 { [%eval -0.26] } 35... f6 { [%eval -0.03] } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Devon U14 Jamboree 2024: Lucian? - NN"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/js5O1aRR/JWgTfrJv"]
[Result "*"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D20"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Accepted: Central Variation, Alekhine System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.28"]
[UTCTime "17:29:03"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. Be2 h5 6. e5 Nd5 7. Bxg4 hxg4 8. Qxg4 *
[Event "6th international junior tournament"]
[Site "Schilde BEL"]
[Date "1970.07.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Arshak B Petrosian"]
[Black "Laszlo Hazai"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E80"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. e4 d6 5. f3 e5 6. d5 Na6 7. Be3 Nh5 8. Qd2 Qh4+ 9. Bf2 Qe7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Be3 f5 12. Bd3 f4 13. Bf2 Bf6 14. Nge2 Bh4 15. Bg1 Bd7 16. Kb1 b6 17. Nc1 Nc5 18. Bc2 a5 19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. Ba4 Bxa4 21. Nxa4 Rfb8 22. Qc2 Kh8 23. Rd3 Rb4 24. Ra3 Qe8 25. Nd3 g5 26. h3 Nf6 27. Rc1 Kg7 28. b3 Nd7 29. Qd2 Rb7 30. Ndb2 Nb6 31. Ka1 h5 32. Nd1 Nxa4 33. Rxa4 Rb4 34. Nc3 Qc8 35. Nb5 Bg3 36. Qe2 Kf6 37. Rb1 Ke7 38. a3 Rxa4 39. bxa4 Kd8 40. Nc3 Rb8 41. Rb5 Rxb5 42. axb5 Qa8 43. Na4 Qa7 44. Ka2 Kc8 45. Qb2 { Threatening b5-b6, winning, but Black's defence is nothing short of miraculous. } 45... Qb6!! 46. Nxb6+ cxb6 47. h4!? gxh4 48. Qd2 h3! 49. gxh3 h4 { and the mighty Queen is completed locked in. } 50. Kb3 Kb7 51. Ka4 Ka7 52. Qg2 Kb7 53. Qb2 Ka7 54. Qc2 Kb7 55. Qc3 Ka7 { 1/2-1/2 The game is a draw. } { +5 says Stockfish, but... } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Devon U14 Jamboree 2024: Blathy 1921 Chinese wall"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/js5O1aRR/UKu0Bbta"]
[Result "*"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[FEN "4k3/6p1/8/3p3b/p1pPp1pP/BpP1PpP1/1P3P1R/K2N3N w - - 0 1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.20"]
[UTCTime "23:48:39"]
{ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEq_X-yE9nU&ab_channel=ChesswithSuren }
*
U18 games https://lichess.org/study/QkcPmMty/KkyvWqGc
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset A"]
[Black "Caleb"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C17"]
[Opening "French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You were getting the better of a tough opening battle as it headed for the middlegame, but one misstep cost you the passed d-pawn and with it the game. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.39] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.4] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Bb4?! { [%eval 0.59] } { Inaccuracy. Nf6 was best. } 4. e5 { [%eval 0.13] } 4... c5 { [%eval 0.77] } 5. f4? { [%eval -0.39] } { Mistake. a3 was best. } 5... cxd4! { [%eval -0.31] } 6. Qxd4 { [%eval -0.28] } 6... Nc6 { [%eval -0.35] } 7. Bb5 { [%eval -0.27] } 7... Ba5 { [%eval -0.19] } 8. Nf3 { [%eval -0.54] } 8... Ne7 { [%eval -0.15] } 9. Bd2 { [%eval -0.14] } 9... Bd7 { [%eval -0.16] } 10. Qf2 { [%eval -0.02] } 10... Nf5 { [%eval 0.15] } 11. Bxc6 { [%eval -0.33] } 11... Bxc6 { [%eval -0.48] } { Steady enough from both players, but White should not have given up the light-squared Bishop. } 12. Nd4?! $17 { [%eval -1.25] } { Inaccuracy. Ne2 was best. } 12... Nxd4 { [%eval -1.18] } 13. Qxd4 { [%eval -1.11] } 13... Bb6 { [%eval -1.18] } 14. Qd3 { [%eval -1.17] } 14... a6?! { [%eval -0.63] } (14... Qh4+! 15. g3 Qh5! { is more awkward for White }) 15. O-O-O! { [%eval -0.57] } 15... Rc8?! { [%eval 0.1] } (15... Qh4 { Stockfish still prefers this but the Queen looks lonely out there. Maybe it's to prevent the game idea from Whte... }) 16. Qg3?! { [%eval -0.6] } { Inaccuracy. Rhe1 was best. } 16... O-O { [%eval -0.62] } { Fearless and correct. } 17. f5 { [%eval -0.57] } 17... exf5 { [%eval -0.52] } 18. Bh6 { [%eval -0.61] } 18... g6 { [%eval -0.59] } 19. Bxf8 $10 { [%eval -0.15] } 19... Qxf8?? $18 { [%eval 1.99] } { Blunder. Kxf8 was best. } { This drops the important d-pawn } (19... Kxf8! $10 { With an extra (passed) pawn and the Bishop pair, you have full value for the Exchange, but probably no more. }) 20. Nxd5 { [%eval 1.79] } 20... Bxd5?! { [%eval 2.82] } { The Bishops work better together } (20... Bd8! $16) 21. Rxd5 { [%eval 2.85] } 21... Qe8 { [%eval 3.51] } 22. Qb3 { [%eval 3.35] } 22... Qc6 { [%eval 3.96] } 23. Rhd1 { [%eval 3.85] } 23... a5?! { [%eval 4.89] } { Inaccuracy. Qc4 was best. } 24. Rd7 { [%eval 5.0] } 24... Kh8 { [%eval 5.61] } { You're finding things to do but Black is toast. } 25. Qc3 { [%eval 4.5] } 25... Be3+ { [%eval 4.37] } 26. Kb1 { [%eval 4.25] } 26... Qxc3 { [%eval 4.4] } 27. bxc3 { [%eval 4.16] } 27... Rxc3?! { [%eval 5.64] } { Inaccuracy. Kg8 was best. } 28. R1d3 { [%eval 4.89] } 28... Rxd3 { [%eval 4.84] } 29. cxd3 { [%eval 4.91] } 29... Kg8 { [%eval 4.83] } 30. d4 { [%eval 4.85] } 30... g5 { [%eval 5.14] } 31. Kc2 { [%eval 4.93] } 31... b6 { [%eval 5.4] } 32. d5 { [%eval 5.26] } 32... Bf4 { [%eval 5.45] } 33. Rd8+ { [%eval 5.4] } 33... Kg7 { [%eval 5.31] } 34. Re8 { [%eval 5.43] } 34... f6 { [%eval 5.98] } 35. d6 { [%eval 5.74] } 35... Bxe5 { [%eval 5.44] } 36. Rxe5 { [%eval 5.03] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Caleb"]
[Black "Somerset B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Lasker always said you can't play a whole game with just one plan, but you seemed to in this game! You kept focussed on your attack, even when the position was turning against you, and eventually you seized victory. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.34] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.24] } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.28] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.76] } (3... Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3) 4. e5 { [%eval 0.75] } 4... Ne4 { [%eval 0.48] } 5. d4 { [%eval 0.34] } (5. Ne2!? $16 { makes life more awkward for Black } 5... Qb6 6. d4 Bg4? 7. Nfg1!) 5... Nxc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. bxc3 { [%eval 0.28] } 6... Bg4!? { [%eval 0.52] } (6... e6 { looks illogical but may be best }) 7. Be2 { [%eval 0.13] } (7. h3! { The Bishop pair would be fine compensation for the doubled pawns. }) 7... e6 { [%eval 0.23] } 8. O-O { [%eval 0.14] } 8... Be7 { [%eval 0.13] } { with a structure like the Winawer. } 9. Bf4 { [%eval -0.08] } (9. h3) (9. Rb1) 9... O-O { [%eval 0.22] } 10. h3 { [%eval -0.01] } 10... Bxf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 11. Bxf3 { [%eval 0.1] } 11... Nd7 { [%eval 0.0] } 12. Re1 { [%eval -0.04] } 12... b5 { [%eval 0.0] } 13. Be2 { [%eval -0.1] } 13... Nb6 { [%eval 0.2] } 14. Bd3 { [%eval 0.13] } 14... g6 { [%eval 0.67] } 15. Bh6 { [%eval 0.68] } 15... Re8 { [%eval 0.68] } 16. Qg4 { [%eval 0.81] } 16... Nd7 { [%eval 1.13] } 17. Re3 { [%eval 0.92] } 17... Bf8 { [%eval 0.92] } 18. Bxf8 { [%eval 0.89] } 18... Nxf8 { [%eval 0.94] } { White has made some progress, Black rather little. The Knight is a good defensive piece, and you need an idea to get in. } 19. Rae1?! { [%eval 0.32] } (19. h4 { can be played immediately. It's not obvious to me where your pieces belong and you spend some time wedging your major pieces into h6 and f6. }) 19... Qa5 { [%eval 0.18] } 20. Qg5 { [%eval 0.0] } (20. h4) (20. f4) 20... Qxa2 { [%eval 0.02] } { That missing pawn is unlikely to decide the game! } 21. h4 { [%eval -0.46] } 21... Qa3 { [%eval -0.11] } 22. Qh6 { [%eval -0.35] } 22... Qe7 { [%eval -0.34] } 23. Rf3?! { [%eval -1.12] } { Inaccuracy. h5 was best. } 23... a5 { [%eval -1.3] } 24. h5 { [%eval -1.41] } 24... a4 { [%eval -1.13] } 25. Rf6?! { [%eval -1.84] } { Inaccuracy. Ra1 was best. } 25... a3 { [%eval -1.86] } 26. g4?! { [%eval -2.65] } { Inaccuracy. Ra1 was best. } 26... a2 { [%eval -2.25] } 27. Ra1 { [%eval -2.42] } { This is the consequence of spending time on ideas that were not urgent. } 27... Ra7 { [%eval -2.42] } 28. Kg2 { [%eval -2.07] } 28... Rb8?! { [%eval -1.01] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } 29. Qc1? $19 { [%eval -2.53] } { Going on the defensive is likely to lead to defeat } (29. f4! b4?! 30. f5! $10 { and you're back in the game }) 29... b4 { [%eval -2.9] } 30. Qb2?! { [%eval -3.85] } { Inaccuracy. c4 was best. } 30... Nd7 { [%eval -3.6] } 31. g5 { [%eval -3.82] } 31... Nxf6? { [%eval -2.01] } { Mistake. bxc3 was best. } { Black is tempted, but that is not a good swap. } 32. gxf6 { [%eval -3.07] } 32... Qf8 { [%eval -2.84] } 33. hxg6 { [%eval -2.0] } 33... fxg6?? { [%eval 0.0] } (33... bxc3! 34. gxh7+ Kh8 35. Qc1 $19) 34. Rxa2! { [%eval 0.0] } 34... Rxa2 { [%eval 0.0] } 35. Qxa2 $10 { [%eval 0.0] } 35... bxc3?! $16 { [%eval 1.0] } { Inaccuracy. Ra8 was best. } { The tables have been turned! } 36. Qa7 { [%eval 1.03] } 36... Re8 { [%eval 1.1] } 37. Qd7 { [%eval 1.16] } 37... Qf7 { [%eval 0.96] } 38. Qxc6 { [%eval 0.91] } 38... h5?! { [%eval 1.92] } { Inaccuracy. Rf8 was best. } { Having made a mess, Black should sit tight. } 39. Qxc3 { [%eval 1.84] } 39... g5?? { [%eval 4.22] } { Blunder. h4 was best. } 40. Qd2 { [%eval 4.17] } 40... Kh8 { [%eval 3.32] } 41. c4?! { [%eval 2.07] } { Inaccuracy. Kh2 was best. } 41... dxc4 { [%eval 1.89] } 42. Bxc4 { [%eval 2.24] } 42... h4 { [%eval 2.17] } 43. Qe3 { [%eval 2.15] } 43... Qg6?! { [%eval 3.43] } { Inaccuracy. Rc8 was best. } 44. Bd3 { [%eval 3.11] } 44... Qh5 { [%eval 3.82] } 45. Be2 { [%eval 3.65] } 45... g4 { [%eval 4.3] } 46. Qf4 { [%eval 4.15] } 46... h3+ { [%eval 4.07] } 47. Kh2 { [%eval 4.68] } 47... g3+ { [%eval 5.53] } { This looks like a shot... } 48. Qxg3 { [%eval 5.42] } 48... Qxe2?? { [%eval #1] } { But Black has overlooked something at the end of the line: } 49. Qg7# 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Dylan"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C17"]
[Opening "French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation"]
{ A thrilling battle where it looked like both sides were on the brink of both victory and defeat, and the draw that happened seemed the least likely result. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.39] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.4] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Bb4?! { Inaccuracy. Nf6 was best. } { [%eval 0.59] } 4. e5 { [%eval 0.13] } 4... c5 { [%eval 0.77] } 5. Nf3?! { I don't know much about this line, ChessPublishing refuses to cover it, although I seem to remember attacking maestro Julian Hodgson dabbled with it in the late 1980s. } { Inaccuracy. a3 was best. } { [%eval 0.17] } 5... cxd4 { [%eval 0.22] } 6. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } (6. Qxd4!? { was always Hodgson's choice, declaring himself to be ahead in development. } 6... Nc6 7. Bb5 Qa5 8. Bd2 Ne7 9. Qg4 O-O 10. Bd3 d4 11. O-O Nf5 12. Ne4 Bxd2 13. Nexd2 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf3 Qc5 16. Rfe1 Rd8 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Bxf5 exf5 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. Nxd4 Re8 21. f3 f4 22. Kf2 g5 23. Nb3 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Rc8 25. Nd4 Kf8 26. c3 f6 27. Re4 Rc5 28. Ne6+ Bxe6 29. Rxe6 Rd5 30. Ke2 Kf7 31. Re4 Rd7 32. Rd4 Re7+ 33. Kd2 Kg6 34. c4 Kf5 35. b4 Rg7 36. Kd3 Re7 37. Rd5+ Kg6 38. Kd2 Rc7 39. c5 Kf7 40. Kd3 Re7 41. b5 Ke8 42. Kd4 Re1 43. c6 bxc6 44. bxc6 Rc1 45. Rc5 Rd1+ 46. Ke4 Re1+ 47. Kf5 Kd8 48. Kxf6 h6 49. c7+ Kc8 50. Rc2 Rh1 51. h3 Rb1 52. Kg6 Rb6+ 53. Kh5 a5 54. h4 gxh4 55. Kxh4 a4 56. Kh3 Rb4 57. Kg4 a3 58. Rc3 Rb2 59. Rxa3 Rxg2+ 60. Kxf4 Kxc7 61. Ra6 h5 62. a4 h4 63. Rh6 Ra2 64. Rxh4 Rxa4+ 65. Kg5 Ra5+ 66. Kf6 Ra3 67. Rc4+ Kd8 68. f4 Ke8 69. f5 { Hodgson, Julian M - Ravi, Lanka, 1-0, London Peace, 1987, https://lichess.org/FFQs8wUj }) 6... Nc6 { [%eval -0.17] } (6... Qc7!?) 7. Nxc6 { [%eval -0.29] } 7... bxc6 { [%eval -0.06] } 8. Bd2 { [%eval -0.47] } (8. Qg4 { is a common idea in the French: there is no harm in getting your Queen out early if it cannot be attacked. } 8... Bf8 { may be the best reply! }) 8... Ne7 { [%eval 0.0] } 9. Bd3 { [%eval -0.36] } (9. Qg4!?) 9... Ng6 { [%eval -0.17] } 10. Qe2 { [%eval -0.47] } 10... Qc7 { [%eval -0.15] } 11. f4 { [%eval -0.64] } (11. a3!?) 11... Bxc3?! { Inaccuracy. d4 was best. } { [%eval 0.21] } 12. bxc3 { [%eval 0.24] } 12... c5 $10 { With a fairly normal-looking Winawer position. } { [%eval 0.25] } 13. O-O { [%eval 0.06] } 13... c4 { [%eval -0.1] } 14. Bxg6 { [%eval -0.12] } 14... hxg6?! { 99 times out of 100, you want to capture towards the centre... but maybe this is the exception. } { Inaccuracy. fxg6 was best. } { [%eval 0.6] } (14... fxg6 { Black's king's-side looks more solid and the half-open f-file may be an asset. }) 15. Be3 { [%eval 0.6] } 15... Bd7 { [%eval 0.72] } 16. Rab1 { [%eval 0.26] } 16... O-O { [%eval 0.2] } 17. Rf3 { [%eval 0.13] } 17... Rab8 { [%eval 0.58] } 18. Rxb8? { If you want to attack, keep pieces on. } (18. Rbf1!) 18... Rxb8 $17 { [%eval -0.84] } 19. Rh3? Rb1+ { [%eval -2.22] } 20. Kf2 { [%eval -2.37] } 20... Rb2?! { Inaccuracy. Qa5 was best. } { [%eval -1.47] } (20... Qa5 { The Queen was not contributing to the defence, so attack with it! }) 21. Qg4 { [%eval -1.71] } 21... Rxc2+ { [%eval -1.62] } 22. Kf3?? { The back rank looked dangerous, but this is worse... } { [%eval -6.26] } (22. Kf1!? Qb7 23. Bf2! f5! $19) 22... Qc6?? { [%eval 0.0] } (22... d4! 23. Bxd4 Qb7+ { and White is helpless } 24. Ke3 (24. Kg3 Rxg2+) 24... Qb1) 23. Bd4! { Good! This stops any ...d4 ideas } { [%eval 0.0] } 23... Rxc3+?? { This of course re-awakens them, but at too much cost. Black will have only one piece in the attack, and so can hope only for a perpetual. } { [%eval 4.4] } (23... Rd2) 24. Bxc3 { [%eval 4.33] } 24... d4+ { [%eval 4.33] } 25. Kg3 { [%eval 4.31] } 25... Qe4 { [%eval 4.24] } 26. Qh4?? { Putting all the chips on red, but now Black has a straightforward perpetual. } { [%eval 0.0] } (26. Qf3! { leaves Black without any useful checks, and White with a winning game } 26... Qxf3+ 27. Kxf3 dxc3 28. Ke2 c2 29. Rc3 { and White really should win }) 26... Qe3+ { [%eval 0.0] } 27. Kg4 { [%eval 0.0] } 27... Qe2+ { [%eval 0.0] } 28. Kg3 { [%eval 0.0] } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Jun Li"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A difficult game where a few second-best moves early on left you with a position that had only problems and no prospects. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. f3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... e5?! { [%eval 0.73] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } (3... e6) (3... g6 { are two very solid options }) (3... dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 { was the way to equalise when I was a boy, but there's been a lot of computers at work since then } 5. Nf3 Bg4! (5... Be6 6. c3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 $14) 6. Bc4 Nd7 $10 7. Bxf7+?? (7. O-O Ngf6 $10) 7... Kxf7 8. Ng5+ Qxg5 $19) 4. Nc3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. dxe5 was best. } (4. dxe5 Bc5 5. exd5? Qb6 { [%csl Rg1] } 6. Ne2?? (6. Nh3 Bxh3 7. gxh3 Bf2+ 8. Ke2 cxd5 $44) 6... Bf2+ 7. Kd2 Qe3#) 4... dxe4 { [%eval 0.02] } 5. dxe5 { [%eval 0.03] } 5... Qxd1+ { [%eval 0.03] } 6. Kxd1?! $15 { [%eval -0.42] } (6. Nxd1 exf3 7. Nxf3 $10) 6... exf3 { [%eval -0.48] } 7. Nxf3 { [%eval -0.38] } { White has an obvious lead in development, but that e-pawn should prove weak. } 7... Bf5 { [%eval 0.15] } (7... Bg4! $15 { is often a good idea in these f-pawn gambits, swapping a Queen's-side piece that is often hard to develop, for one of White's key attacking pieces. }) 8. Bd3 { [%eval -0.13] } (8. Bc4!) 8... Nh6?! { [%eval 0.72] } (8... Bxd3 9. cxd3 Ne7 $10) 9. Bxh6! { [%eval 0.66] } 9... Bxd3 { [%eval 0.7] } 10. cxd3 { [%eval 0.76] } 10... gxh6 $16 { [%eval 0.69] } { As before, White has a development lead, but now Black's pawn structure is very messy, and White has the advantage. } 11. Re1 { [%eval 0.65] } 11... Bg7?! { [%eval 1.5] } { Inaccuracy. Na6 was best. } (11... Rg8 12. g3 Na6 13. a3 O-O-O 14. Kc2 Be7 $14 { develops quickly, but you still have problems with your pawns. }) 12. Kc2 { [%eval 1.3] } 12... Ke7?! { [%eval 2.02] } { Inaccuracy. Na6 was best. } { Once Queens are off, normally the prospects of an attack on the King are pretty poor, but this position plays more like a middlegame than an endgame. } 13. Re4 { [%eval 1.95] } 13... Na6 { [%eval 1.93] } 14. d4 { [%eval 1.89] } 14... Rad8 { [%eval 2.52] } 15. Nh4 { [%eval 2.47] } 15... Ke6 { [%eval 2.64] } 16. Rf1 { [%eval 2.82] } 16... Rhg8 { [%eval 2.57] } 17. a3 { [%eval 2.64] } 17... Bf8? { [%eval 4.24] } (17... Nc7 18. g3 Nd5 19. Nf5 Bf8 { and White has a crushing bind }) 18. g3?! { [%eval 3.08] } { Inaccuracy. Rf6+ was best. } 18... h5?! { [%eval 4.6] } { Inaccuracy. Be7 was best. } 19. Rf6+ { [%eval 4.98] } 19... Ke7 { [%eval 4.86] } 20. Nf5+ { [%eval 4.82] } 20... Ke8 { [%eval 4.74] } 21. e6? { [%eval 2.57] } { Mistake. Nd6+ was best. } { I can't see any more but I don't expect it was pretty... } 1-0
[Event "Devon U18 Jamboree 2024: Fischer - Larsen 1958 1-0"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/QkcPmMty/KkyvWqGc"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B77"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Czerniak Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.02.02"]
[UTCTime "23:57:35"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6 11. Bb3 Qa5 12. O-O-O b5 (12... Bxb3 13. cxb3 { After 12 ... Bxb3 13. cxb3! Black cannot make any attacking headway against this particular Pawn configuration. White is lost in the King and Pawn ending, it's true, but Black usually gets mated long before then. As Tarrasch put it: "Before the endgame the gods have placed the middle game." -- FISCHER }) 13. Kb1 b4 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 Rac8 16. Bb3 Rc7 17. h4 Qb5 18. h5 Rfc8 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. g4 a5 21. g5 Nh5 22. Rxh5 gxh5 23. g6 e5 24. gxf7+ Kf8 25. Be3 d5 26. exd5 Rxf7 27. d6 Rf6 28. Bg5 Qb7 29. Bxf6 Bxf6 30. d7 Rd8 31. Qd6+ { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Jun Li"]
[Black "S Wales"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening began quite well for you, but the advantage ebbed away. These French-style positions are not so hard to understand, so have a good look at the comments early on. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. f3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Nf6?! { [%eval 0.71] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } 4. e5 { [%eval 0.72] } 4... Nfd7 { [%eval 0.64] } 5. f4 { [%eval 0.53] } 5... c5 { [%eval 0.67] } 6. Nf3?! { [%eval 0.43] } (6. c3!) 6... e6?! { [%eval 0.89] } (6... cxd4!) 7. c3! $16 { [%eval 0.8] } 7... Nc6 $16 { [%eval 1.14] } 8. Bb5? { [%eval -0.04] } { Mistake. Be2 was best. } { Offering to swap what is by far your better bishop. } 8... Qb6?! { [%eval 0.7] } { Inaccuracy. Qa5 was best. } 9. Bxc6? { [%eval -0.54] } { Mistake. Ba4 was best. } { With the Bishop pair and a better structure, Black stands well, and now gets a powerful initiative on the Queen's-side. } 9... bxc6 $15 { [%eval -0.54] } 10. Qc2?! { [%eval -1.16] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } 10... cxd4 { [%eval -1.33] } 11. cxd4 { [%eval -1.33] } 11... Ba6! { [%eval -0.91] } 12. Be3 { [%eval -1.37] } 12... Rb8 { [%eval -1.17] } 13. b3 { [%eval -1.18] } 13... Bb4+ { [%eval -0.77] } 14. Nbd2?! { [%eval -1.72] } { Inaccuracy. Kf2 was best. } (14. Kf2 c5) 14... O-O { [%eval -1.26] } 15. Kf2 { [%eval -1.17] } 15... Rfc8 { [%eval -0.64] } 16. Ng5?? { [%eval -2.42] } { Blunder. a3 was best. } { I respect the impulse to do something active, but this is bound to fail and so is a waste of time. } 16... Nf8?! { [%eval -1.52] } { Inaccuracy. g6 was best. } 17. a3 { [%eval -1.77] } 17... Bxd2 $17 { [%eval -1.34] } (17... c5! 18. axb4 cxd4! $19) 18. Qxd2 { [%eval -1.31] } 18... Qxb3 { [%eval -1.43] } 19. Rhb1 { [%eval -1.96] } 19... Qxb1 { [%eval -1.72] } 20. Rxb1 { [%eval -1.99] } 20... Rxb1 { [%eval -1.76] } { That has changed the position quite a lot! If the rooks can be coordinated, they will overpower the Queen. } 21. Qa5 { [%eval -1.86] } 21... Rb6?! { [%eval -0.82] } { Inaccuracy. Rb2+ was best. } (21... Bd3!?) 22. Bd2 { [%eval -0.87] } 22... h6 { [%eval -0.67] } 23. Nf3 { [%eval -0.86] } 23... Rcb8 { [%eval -0.78] } 24. Bb4 { [%eval -0.52] } 24... Nd7 { [%eval -0.21] } 25. Kg3?! { [%eval -0.77] } { Inaccuracy. Nd2 was best. } 25... Be2 { [%eval -0.5] } 26. Qxa7 { [%eval -0.47] } 26... R6b7 { [%eval -0.41] } 27. Qa4 { [%eval -0.52] } 27... Rb5?! $10 { [%eval 0.03] } { Inaccuracy. Rc8 was best. } { Black has gone backwards and White has a blockade. About equal, but the position soon tips in Black's favour. } 28. Qc2?! { [%eval -0.6] } { Inaccuracy. Bd6 was best. } 28... Bxf3 { [%eval -0.63] } 29. Kxf3?! { [%eval -1.35] } { Inaccuracy. gxf3 was best. } 29... c5 { [%eval -1.5] } 30. dxc5 { [%eval -1.23] } 30... Nxc5 { [%eval -1.15] } 31. f5 { [%eval -1.11] } 31... Na6?! $10 { [%eval -0.3] } { Inaccuracy. exf5 was best. } { Black intends to demolish the blockade but this logical move lets it slip... } 32. Qb3?? { [%eval -4.76] } { Blunder. fxe6 was best. } { White had to try opening up the Black King. White would have fewer pawns to lose, and chances of a perpetual. } (32. fxe6 fxe6 33. Qg6 R5b6 (33... Nxb4 34. Qxe6+) 34. Bd6) 32... Nxb4 33. axb4 Rxb4 34. Qd1 { White has slim hopes for a draw. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Bristol/Glos"]
[Black "Jun Li"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The advantage swung back and forth but looked solidly in your hands towards the end. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. f3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... e6 { [%eval 0.24] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.07] } 4... c5? $16 { [%eval 1.35] } { Mistake. Bb4 was best. } { Not yet I think: wait until White plays e4-e5. At the moment it opens things up when you have nothing developed.
The next few moves are not the best from both sides. } 5. dxc5?! { [%eval 0.5] } { Inaccuracy. exd5 was best. } (5. exd5 exd5 6. dxc5 { And Black has to be very careful to avoid defeat }) 5... d4 { [%eval 0.45] } 6. Nb5 { [%eval 0.42] } 6... Bxc5?! { [%eval 1.36] } { Inaccuracy. Nc6 was best. } 7. c3?! { [%eval 0.49] } { Inaccuracy. Bf4 was best. } 7... e5?! $16 { [%eval 1.07] } { Inaccuracy. dxc3 was best. } { Bold but too ambitious. } 8. Bc4?? { [%eval -0.85] } { Blunder. cxd4 was best. } (8. cxd4 exd4 9. Bf4!) 8... a6 $17 { [%eval -0.82] } 9. Na3 { [%eval -0.77] } 9... Qb6?! { [%eval -0.01] } { Inaccuracy. Nc6 was best. } (9... Nc6) 10. Qb3 { [%eval -0.37] } 10... Qxb3?! { [%eval 0.33] } { Inaccuracy. Qf6 was best. } 11. axb3 { [%eval 0.4] } 11... Nc6 { [%eval 0.52] } 12. Ne2 { [%eval 0.16] } { Briefly, things are about equal. Black should finish development, but carries on trying to dominate with pawns: } 12... f5?! { [%eval 0.61] } 13. Bg5?! { [%eval 0.08] } 13... fxe4 { [%eval 0.02] } 14. fxe4 { [%eval 0.28] } 14... Nf6 { [%eval 0.41] } 15. Bxf6 { [%eval 0.37] } 15... gxf6 { [%eval 0.42] } 16. Bd5 { [%eval 0.05] } 16... Ke7 { [%eval 0.27] } 17. Bxc6 { [%eval -0.19] } 17... bxc6 $10 { [%eval -0.06] } 18. O-O-O?? { [%eval -2.1] } { Blunder. b4 was best. } { Now the b2 pawn is overworked. } 18... Bg4! { [%eval -1.98] } 19. Rd2?! { [%eval -2.92] } { Inaccuracy. Rde1 was best. } 19... Bxe2? { [%eval -1.14] } { Mistake. dxc3 was best. } 20. Rxe2 { [%eval -1.13] } { TACTIC: overloading } 20... d3?! { [%eval -0.33] } { Inaccuracy. dxc3 was best. } { Gets a tut from Stockfish but this pawn could have won you the game! } (20... dxc3 { wins a pawn } 21. Rc2 cxb2+ 22. Kxb2 Bd4+ 23. Kc1 Rab8 $17) 21. Ree1 { [%eval -0.37] } 21... Bf2? { [%eval 0.84] } { Mistake. Bxa3 was best. } 22. Rd1 { [%eval 0.31] } 22... Rad8?! { [%eval 1.27] } { Inaccuracy. f5 was best. } 23. Kd2? { [%eval 0.08] } { Mistake. Nc4 was best. } 23... Bh4 { [%eval 0.23] } 24. Nc4 { [%eval 0.28] } 24... Bg5+ { [%eval 0.47] } 25. Ne3?! { [%eval -0.32] } { Inaccuracy. Ke1 was best. } 25... Rd7 { [%eval -0.02] } 26. Ra1 { [%eval -0.02] } 26... Rb8 { [%eval -0.02] } 27. Rxa6 { [%eval -0.05] } 27... Rxb3 $10 { [%eval -0.08] } { About equal, says Stockfish, but Black seems to have all the ideas. I think you played the next phase pretty well and got a strong position. } 28. Ra2?! { [%eval -1.14] } { Inaccuracy. Rb1 was best. } { Going on the defensive with their only active piece... } 28... c5 { [%eval -1.25] } 29. h4 { [%eval -1.09] } 29... Bxe3+?! { [%eval -0.49] } { Inaccuracy. Bf4 was best. } 30. Kxe3 { [%eval -0.54] } 30... c4 { [%eval -0.11] } 31. Kd2? { [%eval -1.34] } { Mistake. g4 was best. } 31... Rdb7 { [%eval -1.27] } 32. Rb1 { [%eval -1.82] } 32... Ke6? { [%eval -0.39] } { Mistake. h5 was best. } 33. g4 { [%eval -0.45] } 33... R3b6 { [%eval -0.25] } 34. Ke3 { [%eval -0.78] } 34... Rd7?! { [%eval -0.1] } { Inaccuracy. Rg7 was best. } 35. Kd2?! { [%eval -0.8] } { Inaccuracy. Ra4 was best. } 35... Rg7 { [%eval -0.86] } { ½-½
but } 36. Rg1 { [%eval -0.87] } 36... h5 { [%eval -0.95] } 37. g5 { [%eval -0.81] } 37... fxg5 { [%eval -0.85] } 38. hxg5 { [%eval -0.9] } 38... Kf7 { [%eval -0.92] } 39. Ke3 { [%eval -0.86] } 39... Kg6 { [%eval -1.01] } 40. Ra4? { [%eval -2.77] } { Mistake. Ra5 was best. } 40... Rc7 { [%eval -2.46] } 41. Rg2 { [%eval -2.91] } 41... h4 { [%eval -2.54] } 42. Ra2? { [%eval -4.74] } { Mistake. Ra8 was best. } 42... h3 { [%eval -5.0] } 43. Rh2 { [%eval -5.0] } 43... Rd7 { [%eval -4.39] } 44. Kd2 { [%eval -4.35] } { was this the final position? Black is quite a bit better here I think with little chance of losing; White can hardly move a piece. One example line: } 44... Rh7 45. Ke3 Kxg5 46. Ra5 Re6 47. Rc5 Kg4 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset A"]
[Black "Jack"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C24"]
[Opening "Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You had all the right ideas but couldn't quite make the attack work. There was not much in it for 25 moves then White pressed the self-destruct button (time trouble?). There was an interesting moment at move 11 to make the same moves sparkle: see what you think! }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.18] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.06] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.1] } 3. Bc4 { [%eval 0.11] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.0] } 4. d3 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... h6 { [%eval 0.32] } (4... Bb4 { and }) (4... Na5 { are the standard equalising lines. }) 5. h3 { [%eval 0.08] } 5... Bc5 { [%eval 0.18] } (5... d6 6. Nf3?! g5!? { is an aggressive way to handle these positions -- compare Javis' game. }) 6. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... O-O { [%eval 0.36] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.0] } 7... d6 { [%eval 0.21] } 8. a3 { [%eval 0.04] } 8... Be6 { [%eval 0.21] } 9. Bxe6 { [%eval 0.15] } 9... fxe6 { [%eval 0.13] } 10. Qe1 { [%eval -0.34] } 10... Nh5 { [%eval -0.24] } 11. Be3?? { [%eval -2.75] } { Blunder. Qd1 was best. } 11... Nd4?? { [%eval -0.49] } { Blunder. Rxf3 was best. } (11... Rxf3! 12. gxf3 Nd4! $19 { is a sprightly sacrifice, typical of these closed positions. White cannot feed pieces over to defend. } 13. Qd1 Qh4 14. Kg2 Rf8 15. f4 Nxc2 16. Qxc2 exf4 17. Bxc5?? (17. Ne2!?) 17... f3+ 18. Kh2 Nf4 { mates
You play many of the same ideas in the game, but White can defend much more easily. }) 12. Bxd4 { [%eval -0.41] } 12... Bxd4 { [%eval -0.26] } 13. Nxd4 { [%eval -0.4] } 13... exd4 { [%eval -0.31] } 14. Ne2 { [%eval -0.23] } 14... e5 { [%eval -0.42] } 15. Qd2 { [%eval -0.21] } 15... Qh4 { [%eval -0.21] } 16. f3 { [%eval -0.38] } 16... Rf7 { [%eval -0.45] } 17. Rf2 { [%eval -0.36] } 17... Raf8 { [%eval -0.18] } 18. Raf1 { [%eval -0.26] } 18... Nf4 { [%eval 0.17] } 19. Nxf4 { [%eval 0.14] } 19... Rxf4 { [%eval 0.43] } 20. Kh2 $10 { [%eval 0.08] } { Black clearly wants to attack but White can hold this. } 20... Qh5?! { [%eval 0.66] } { Inaccuracy. R4f7 was best. } 21. Qd1?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Qa5 was best. } 21... Rh4? { [%eval 1.12] } { Mistake. b6 was best. } 22. Qd2?! { [%eval 0.3] } { Inaccuracy. c3 was best. } 22... Rhf4 { [%eval 0.77] } 23. c3 { [%eval 0.3] } 23... dxc3 { [%eval 0.34] } 24. Qxc3 { [%eval 0.36] } 24... Qf7 { [%eval 0.31] } 25. Rc1 { [%eval 0.08] } 25... c6 { [%eval 0.05] } 26. Qb4 { [%eval 0.0] } 26... d5 $10 { [%eval 0.03] } { Again Black looks very good but it's still equal if White finds all the right moves. However, White finds very few right moves from here on: } 27. Qd6?! $15 { [%eval -0.51] } 27... dxe4 { [%eval -0.45] } 28. dxe4 { [%eval -0.46] } 28... Rxe4 { [%eval -0.4] } 29. Rd2?! $17 { [%eval -1.29] } { Inaccuracy. Rd1 was best. } (29. fxe4) (29. Rd1) 29... Qf4+ { [%eval -1.12] } 30. Kh1?! { [%eval -1.81] } { Inaccuracy. Kg1 was best. } 30... Rd4 { [%eval -1.74] } 31. Qe6+ { [%eval -2.22] } 31... Kh8?! { [%eval -1.24] } { Inaccuracy. Qf7 was best. } 32. Re2?? { [%eval #-11] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rdd1 was best. } 32... Qxc1+ { [%eval #-10] } 33. Kh2 { [%eval #-16] } 33... Qf4+ { [%eval #-10] } 34. g3 { [%eval #-10] } 34... Qxf3 { [%eval #-9] } 35. Qxe5 { [%eval #-6] } 35... Rd1 { [%eval #-5] } 36. Rg2 { [%eval #-5] } 36... Qf1 { [%eval #-4] } 37. g4 { [%eval #-4] } 37... Qf4+?? { [%eval -6.57] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. Qh1+ was best. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Jack"]
[Black "Bristol/Glos"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E60"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ I didn't get the impression that either side knew what they were supposed to be doing but sensible play meant you were never worse and mostly better. Black did have one glorious moment of equality but then dropped a vital pawn. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.13] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.21] } 3. c4 { [%eval 0.3] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.29] } 4... O-O { [%eval 0.63] } 5. e4 { [%eval 0.42] } 5... d6 { [%eval 0.48] } 6. Bd3?! { [%eval 0.31] } { Home grown? This move has been played 51 times in 51000 Master games on the Lichess database...
There are lines where this Bd3 move works against the King's Indian and Benoni, but not usually with Nf3. There are lots of workable systems against the King's Indian: do pick one! The King's Indian is too strong a system to be handled lightly. } 6... c5 { [%eval 0.36] } { Giving a Benoni character to the game. } (6... Bg4! { suggests the Bd3 is misplaced: Stockfish suggests now Be2! }) 7. d5 { [%eval 0.45] } 7... Na6?! { [%eval 1.29] } { Inaccuracy. Bg4 was best. } 8. a3 { [%eval 0.81] } (8. h3!?) 8... Nc7 { [%eval 0.97] } 9. O-O { [%eval 0.94] } 9... a6 { [%eval 0.93] } 10. h3 { [%eval 0.54] } 10... Rb8 { [%eval 1.05] } 11. Re1 { [%eval 0.73] } 11... b5 { [%eval 0.68] } 12. Rb1 { [%eval 0.35] } 12... Nd7 { [%eval 0.64] } 13. Qc2 { [%eval 0.52] } 13... Ne5 { [%eval 0.61] } 14. Nxe5 { [%eval 0.78] } 14... Bxe5 { [%eval 0.73] } 15. b3 { [%eval 0.78] } 15... f5 { [%eval 1.1] } { White has good development and plenty of space, but I don't see what plan you are following just yet. As a Benko player, you should know a few plans for White in this structure! } 16. Bb2?! { [%eval 0.5] } { Inaccuracy. exf5 was best. } 16... e6?! { [%eval 1.52] } { Inaccuracy. f4 was best. } 17. exf5 { [%eval 1.45] } 17... exf5 { [%eval 1.6] } { Black is passively placed (that Knight!) and full of holes.
Again you have a promising Exchange sac available: } 18. Ne2?! { [%eval 0.55] } { Inaccuracy. Rxe5 was best. } (18. Rxe5! dxe5 19. Nd1 Qe7 20. Qc3 { makes use of your Bb2 } 20... Re8 21. f4 $18) 18... Bxb2 { [%eval 0.44] } 19. Rxb2 { [%eval 0.38] } 19... Qf6 { [%eval 0.58] } 20. Rbb1 { [%eval 0.42] } 20... Ne8?! { [%eval 1.23] } { Inaccuracy. bxc4 was best. } 21. Nf4 { [%eval 1.13] } 21... Ng7 { [%eval 1.34] } 22. Bf1?! { [%eval 0.4] } { Inaccuracy. b4 was best. } 22... g5 { [%eval 0.4] } 23. Ne6 { [%eval -0.03] } 23... Nxe6 { [%eval 0.4] } 24. dxe6 { [%eval 0.24] } 24... Bxe6 { [%eval 0.25] } 25. Rbd1 $10 { [%eval 0.0] } { Black has struggled back up the hill to a roughly equal position, but soon tumbles back down it. } 25... Rbd8? { [%eval 1.37] } { Mistake. Bf7 was best. } 26. cxb5 { [%eval 1.41] } { of course } 26... axb5 { [%eval 1.35] } 27. Bxb5 { [%eval 1.6] } 27... f4 { [%eval 1.82] } 28. f3?! { [%eval 1.15] } { Inaccuracy. Bc6 was best. } 28... Bf5?! { [%eval 1.9] } { Inaccuracy. Kh8 was best. } 29. Qc4+ { [%eval 1.82] } 29... Kg7 { [%eval 1.82] } 30. a4 { [%eval 1.82] } 30... Rf7 { [%eval 2.02] } 31. a5 { [%eval 1.85] } 31... Ra8?! { [%eval 2.6] } { Inaccuracy. Ra7 was best. } 32. a6 { [%eval 2.6] } 32... Re7? { [%eval 4.39] } { Mistake. Rb8 was best. } 33. Rxe7+ { [%eval 4.69] } 33... Qxe7 { [%eval 4.51] } 34. Qd5 { [%eval 4.84] } 34... Ra7 { [%eval 5.9] } 35. Qxf5 { [%eval 5.93] } 35... Qe3+ { [%eval 6.04] } 36. Kh1 { [%eval 6.08] } 36... Qxb3?? { [%eval #7] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Qe7 was best. } 37. Qd3?? { [%eval 5.36] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. Rxd6 was best. } 37... Qb2 { [%eval 5.83] } 38. Bc4 { [%eval 5.67] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Zihan"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "½-½"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Opening "Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System"]
{ According to Stockfish, you were worse for nearly all of this battle, but you kept coming up with ideas, even if one of them nearly cost you the game! You had a chance to equalise at move 9 with some very typical Benoni tactics. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] [%eval 0.16] } 2... c5?! { [%eval 0.93] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } { [%eval 0.93] } 3. d5 { [%eval 0.65] [%eval 0.65] } 3... b5 { [%eval 0.83] } { I like this for Black. } 4. cxb5 { [%eval 0.8] [%eval 0.8] } 4... a6 { [%eval 0.74] [%eval 0.74] } 5. Nc3 { [%eval 0.54] } { The Zaitsev system, although I suspect not prepared in this game. } 5... g6? { [%eval 1.72] } { Mistake. axb5 was best. } { [%eval 1.72] } (5... axb5 6. e4 (6. Nxb5 { with 'normal' Benko play }) 6... b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bf4 { is the famous Nescafe Frappe Attack, a hacker's paradise } 8... g6 9. e5! Nh5 10. exd6 exd6 11. Qe2+ Kd7!) 6. e4 { [%eval 1.64] [%eval 1.64] } 6... d6 { [%eval 1.84] [%eval 1.84] } 7. f4?! { [%eval 0.91] } { Logical enough although Stockfish frowned. } { Logical enough although Stockfish frowned. } 7... Bg7 { [%eval 1.16] [%eval 1.16] } 8. Nf3 { [%eval 0.89] [%eval 0.97] } 8... O-O { [%eval 0.87] [%eval 0.87] } 9. Be2?! { [%eval -0.16] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } { [%eval -0.11] } 9... Qa5?! { [%eval 0.68] } { Inaccuracy. axb5 was best. } { [%eval 0.68] } (9... axb5! 10. Bxb5? (10. Nxb5?! Nxe4 $17) (10. e5! dxe5 11. fxe5 Ng4 $10) 10... Nxe4 $19) 10. O-O { [%eval 0.65] [%eval 0.59] } 10... axb5 { [%eval 0.71] [%eval 0.66] } 11. e5 { [%eval 0.67] [%eval 0.64] } 11... Nfd7 { [%eval 1.19] [%eval 1.18] } 12. exd6 { [%eval 1.13] [%eval 1.23] } 12... exd6 { [%eval 1.05] [%eval 1.19] } 13. Nxb5 { [%eval 1.1] [%eval 1.14] } 13... Qb6 { [%eval 1.28] [%eval 1.15] } 14. Nc3?! { [%eval 0.26] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } { [%eval 0.38] } 14... Na6 $16 { [%eval 0.7] [%eval 0.43] } 15. Qb3? $17 { [%eval -0.88] } 15... Nb4! { [%eval -0.76] } { Quite right, says Stiockfish. } (15... Qxb3 16. axb3 Bb7 { was my instinct but it's not so easy for Black to improve their position }) 16. Bc4 { [%eval -0.83] [%eval -0.85] } 16... Ba6 { [%eval -0.73] [%eval -0.76] } 17. Kh1 { [%eval -1.21] [%eval -1.25] } 17... Bxc4 { [%eval -1.22] [%eval -1.4] } 18. Qxc4 { [%eval -1.06] [%eval -1.29] } 18... Nc2?! { [%eval -0.57] } { Inaccuracy. Bxc3 was best. } { [%eval -0.51] } 19. Rb1 { [%eval -0.52] [%eval -0.39] } 19... Bxc3 { [%eval -0.38] [%eval -0.23] } 20. Qxc3 $15 { [%eval -0.37] [%eval -0.33] } 20... Na3?! $14 { [%eval 0.35] } 21. Ra1 { [%eval 0.57] [%eval 0.47] } 21... Nb5 { [%eval 0.49] [%eval 0.42] } 22. Qd3 { [%eval 0.35] [%eval 0.3] } 22... Nf6? { [%eval 1.54] } { Mistake. Qa6 was best. } { [%eval 1.42] } 23. Nd2? { [%eval 0.2] } { Mistake. f5 was best. } { [%eval 0.19] } 23... Nc7?! { [%eval 0.77] } { Inaccuracy. Nd4 was best. } { [%eval 0.66] } 24. Nc4 { [%eval 0.58] [%eval 0.55] } 24... Qa6?! { [%eval 1.12] } { Inaccuracy. Qb7 was best. } { [%eval 1.21] } 25. b3 { [%eval 1.09] [%eval 1.14] } 25... Nfxd5?! { [%eval 2.0] } { Inaccuracy. Ncxd5 was best. } { [%eval 1.89] } 26. Bb2?! { [%eval 1.03] } 26... Rad8? { [%eval 2.53] } (26... f5!) 27. g3?? { [%eval -0.24] } { Blunder. f5 was best. } { [%eval -0.29] } (27. f5!) 27... Qa8?! { [%eval 0.58] } { Inaccuracy. Nb4 was best. } { [%eval 0.43] } 28. Kg1 { [%eval 0.23] [%eval 0.36] } 28... Ne6?! { [%eval 1.3] } { Inaccuracy. Nb4 was best. } { [%eval 1.29] } 29. Rfd1? { [%eval 0.0] } { Mistake. f5 was best. } { [%eval 0.0] } 29... Ndxf4?? { [%eval 2.78] } 30. gxf4 { [%eval 2.76] [%eval 2.81] } 30... Nxf4 { [%eval 2.44] [%eval 3.01] } 31. Qf1 { [%eval 2.68] [%eval 2.89] } 31... Qe4 { [%eval 2.87] [%eval 3.04] } (31... g5!? { but here also White looks too well-developed to be threatened by your attack. }) 32. Re1 { [%eval 2.78] [%eval 2.99] } 32... Qf5 { [%eval 2.89] [%eval 2.97] } 33. Ne3 { [%eval 2.8] [%eval 3.01] } 33... Qg5+ { [%eval 2.71] [%eval 2.9] } 34. Kh1 { [%eval 2.72] [%eval 2.65] } 34... Rde8 { [%eval 2.74] [%eval 2.63] } 35. Ng2 { [%eval 2.52] [%eval 2.74] } 35... Nh3?! { [%eval 3.54] } { Inaccuracy. Nxg2 was best. } { [%eval 3.56] } 36. Qf6? { [%eval 1.78] } { Mistake. Qf3 was best. } { [%eval 1.96] } 36... Rxe1+?! { [%eval 2.73] } { Inaccuracy. Qxf6 was best. } { [%eval 2.9] } 37. Rxe1 { [%eval 2.68] [%eval 2.9] } 37... Qxf6 { [%eval 2.8] [%eval 2.94] } 38. Bxf6 { [%eval 2.67] [%eval 2.72] } 38... Nf2+ { [%eval 3.24] [%eval 3.32] } 39. Kg1 { [%eval 3.31] [%eval 3.29] } 39... Nd3?! { [%eval 4.5] } { Inaccuracy. Ng4 was best.
White really should win from here, but it all goes wrong for them. } { Inaccuracy. Ng4 was best.
White really should win from here, but it all goes wrong for them. } 40. Rd1 { [%eval 4.43] [%eval 4.41] } 40... Nb4 { [%eval 4.58] [%eval 4.62] } 41. a3 { [%eval 4.36] [%eval 4.57] } 41... Nc2 $18 { [%eval 4.8] [%eval 4.82] } 42. Be7? { [%eval 2.38] } (42. a4! $18) 42... Rb8 { [%eval 2.45] [%eval 2.66] } 43. Bxd6?! $16 { [%eval 1.59] } { Inaccuracy. Rxd6 was best. } { [%eval 1.76] } 43... Rxb3 { [%eval 1.44] [%eval 1.84] } 44. Bxc5 { [%eval 1.71] [%eval 1.95] } 44... Nxa3 { [%eval 1.3] } { Now the White queen's-side pawns have vanished, it is not obvious how White can win. } 45. Bxa3? $10 { [%eval 0.0] } { Swaps help the pawns, of course, and now I think the position cannot be won. } (45. Ne3!? $16 { or with a preliminary }) (45. Rd8+ Kg7 46. Ne3) 45... Rxa3 { [%eval 0.0] [%eval 0.06] } ½-½
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Josh"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"]
{ White didn't take the game to you and you got a position at least equal; White then gave you a big chance which you did not overlook. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. exd5 { [%eval 0.35] } 3... cxd5 { [%eval 0.33] } 4. Nc3 { Looks a bit home-made... } 4... Nf6 { [%eval -0.09] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... Nc6 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. Bb5 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Bf5 { [%eval 0.31] } (6... Bg4! { is more to the point }) 7. Ne5! { [%eval 0.36] } 7... Qc7?! { Inaccuracy. Bd7 was best. } { [%eval 0.95] } 8. Qf3?! { Inaccuracy. Bf4 was best. } { [%eval 0.08] } 8... e6 { [%eval 0.12] } 9. Bf4?! Bd6 { Now White is in a pin } 10. Rc1 { [%eval -1.01] } 10... O-O { [%eval -0.75] } 11. Bxc6 { [%eval -0.85] } 11... bxc6 { [%eval -0.82] } 12. Qg3?? Nh5! { [%eval -6.38] } 13. Qg5 { [%eval -6.18] } 13... Nxf4 { [%eval -6.29] } 14. Qxf4 { [%eval -6.43] } 14... f6 { Goodnight nurse... I spotted little of interest in the rest of the game. } 15. Qh4 { [%eval -6.22] } 15... fxe5 { [%eval -6.38] } 16. Ne2 { [%eval -6.33] } 16... exd4 { [%eval -6.19] } 17. Nxd4 { [%eval -6.38] } 17... Be7 { [%eval -5.89] } 18. Qh5 { [%eval -6.33] } 18... Qe5+ { [%eval -6.18] } 19. Ne2 { [%eval -6.42] } 19... Qxb2 { [%eval -6.19] } 20. O-O { [%eval -6.21] } 20... Qxa2 { [%eval -6.0] } 21. Nd4 { [%eval -6.01] } 21... Qc4 { [%eval -6.15] } 22. c3 { [%eval -5.94] } 22... c5 { [%eval -6.01] } 23. Nc6 { [%eval -6.68] } 23... Bf6 { [%eval -6.75] } 24. Na5 { [%eval -7.2] } 24... Qg4 { [%eval -6.21] } 25. Qxg4 { [%eval -6.26] } 25... Bxg4 { [%eval -6.26] } 26. h3 { [%eval -6.32] } 26... Be2 { [%eval -5.92] } 27. Rfe1 { [%eval -5.8] } 27... Bg5 { [%eval -5.65] } 28. Ra1 { [%eval -5.83] } 28... Bb5 { [%eval -5.86] } 29. Rxe6 { [%eval -5.87] } 29... Bf6 { [%eval -5.9] } 30. Rc1 { [%eval -5.83] } 30... Rfe8 { [%eval -5.5] } 31. Rd6 { [%eval -5.49] } 31... Rad8 { [%eval -5.36] } 32. Nb7 { [%eval -5.51] } 32... Rxd6 { [%eval -5.56] } 33. Nxd6 { [%eval -5.58] } 33... Rb8 { [%eval -5.58] } 34. Rb1 { [%eval -5.68] } 34... a6 { [%eval -5.65] } 35. c4 { [%eval -5.74] } 35... dxc4 { [%eval -5.82] } 36. Nxc4 { [%eval -5.66] } 36... Be7 { [%eval -5.52] } 37. f4 { [%eval -5.66] } 37... g6 { [%eval -5.48] } 38. Ne5 { [%eval -5.59] } 38... Bd6 { [%eval -5.77] } 39. Nc6?! { Inaccuracy. Rd1 was best. } { [%eval -8.1] } 39... Bxc6 { [%eval -8.87] } 40. Rxb8+ { [%eval -10.29] } 40... Bxb8 { [%eval -10.62] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Piran"]
[Black "Somerset"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D53"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black badly mishandled a standard Queen's Gambit, even losing a piece, and you calmly kept your big advantage throughout the game. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.21] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.05] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.21] } 4. Bg5 { [%eval -0.09] } 4... Be7 { [%eval 0.29] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... dxc4 { [%eval 0.29] } { Looks inconsistent -- is Black accepting the gambit or not? And if so, you must be ready to challenge the big White centre -- 'normal' developing moves now will not be enough. } 6. e4 { [%eval 0.04] } 6... Nc6? { [%eval 1.33] } { Mistake. b5 was best. } 7. Bxc4 { [%eval 0.91] } 7... h6?! { [%eval 1.59] } { Inaccuracy. a6 was best. } 8. Bf4 { [%eval 1.15] } 8... Bd6?? { [%eval 4.05] } { Blunder. Bb4 was best. } 9. e5 { [%eval 4.03] } { Winning a piece and the game. } 9... Bb4 { [%eval 5.0] } 10. exf6 { [%eval 5.09] } 10... Qxf6 { [%eval 4.91] } 11. Bxc7 { [%eval 5.02] } 11... O-O { [%eval 5.1] } 12. O-O { [%eval 4.97] } 12... Qe7 { [%eval 5.15] } 13. Bf4 { [%eval 4.84] } 13... a6 { [%eval 5.25] } 14. Ne5 { [%eval 4.83] } 14... Nxe5 { [%eval 5.14] } 15. Bxe5 { [%eval 5.1] } 15... f6 { [%eval 5.54] } 16. Bf4 { [%eval 5.37] } 16... b5 { [%eval 5.32] } 17. Bd3 { [%eval 4.74] } 17... Bd6 { [%eval 5.2] } 18. Qg4 { [%eval 4.77] } 18... e5?! { [%eval 5.83] } { TACTIC: discovery
It looks like White has to give back the extra piece, but you have such a strong attack you might not notice... } 19. Qg6 { [%eval 5.65] } 19... exf4?! { [%eval 9.39] } { Inaccuracy. f5 was best. } 20. Qh7+ { [%eval 8.88] } 20... Kf7 { [%eval 10.47] } 21. Bg6+ { [%eval 10.38] } 21... Ke6 { [%eval 10.43] } 22. Rfe1+ { [%eval 9.11] } { TACTIC: skewer
And Black immediately has to hand back a piece. } 22... Be5 { [%eval 11.35] } 23. Bf5+ { [%eval 9.88] } 23... Kf7 { [%eval 9.52] } 24. dxe5?! { [%eval 5.62] } { Inaccuracy. Bg6+ was best. } 24... Bxf5 { [%eval 5.77] } 25. Qxf5 { [%eval 5.65] } 25... Qe6 { [%eval 5.51] } 26. Qxe6+ { [%eval 5.19] } 26... Kxe6 { [%eval 5.13] } 27. exf6+ { [%eval 5.22] } 27... Kxf6 { [%eval 5.15] } 28. Rad1 { [%eval 5.17] } 28... Rfe8 { [%eval 5.19] } 29. Nd5+ { [%eval 5.01] } 29... Kf7 { [%eval 5.44] } 30. Nc7 { [%eval 5.01] } 30... Rxe1+ { [%eval 4.94] } 31. Rxe1 { [%eval 4.95] } 31... Ra7 { [%eval 4.96] } 32. Nd5 { [%eval 4.9] } 32... Kg8 { [%eval 5.47] } 33. Nxf4 { [%eval 5.45] } 33... Kh7 { [%eval 5.49] } 34. h3 { [%eval 5.35] } 34... Rf7 { [%eval 5.41] } 35. Nd5 { [%eval 5.42] } 35... Rd7 { [%eval 5.67] } 36. Rd1 { [%eval 5.63] } 36... Rf7 { [%eval 5.88] } 37. Nb4 { [%eval 5.5] } 37... a5 { [%eval 5.55] } 38. Nc6 { [%eval 5.46] } 38... a4 { [%eval 5.67] } 39. Rd5 { [%eval 5.57] } 39... Rc7 { [%eval 5.48] } 40. Nd4 { [%eval 4.71] } 40... Rc1+ { [%eval 4.85] } 41. Kh2 { [%eval 4.76] } 41... Rd1 { [%eval 4.58] } 42. g4 { [%eval 4.1] } 42... Rd2 { [%eval 4.0] } 43. Kg3 { [%eval 4.44] } 43... b4 { [%eval 4.53] } 44. b3 { [%eval 4.41] } 44... a3 { [%eval 4.51] } 45. Kf3 { [%eval 4.35] } 45... Rxa2 { [%eval 4.48] } 46. Ra5 { [%eval 4.33] } 46... Rd2 { [%eval 4.69] } 47. Ke3 { [%eval 4.62] } 47... Rd1 { [%eval 4.64] } 48. h4 { [%eval 4.56] } 48... Rh1 { [%eval 3.82] } 49. Nc6 { [%eval 3.93] } 49... Rh3+?! { [%eval 5.32] } { Inaccuracy. Rxh4 was best. } 50. f3 { [%eval 5.24] } 50... Rh2 { [%eval 5.6] } 51. Nxb4 { [%eval 5.47] } 51... Rb2 { [%eval 6.29] } 52. Rxa3 { [%eval 6.12] } 52... Rh2 { [%eval 6.39] } 53. h5 { [%eval 6.67] } 53... Rh1 { [%eval 6.72] } 54. Nd3 { [%eval 6.7] } 54... Rd1 { [%eval 6.66] } 55. Nf4 { [%eval 6.36] } 55... Rc1 { [%eval 7.21] } 56. Ng6 { [%eval 7.12] } 56... Rc3+ { [%eval 7.03] } 57. Kf4 { [%eval 7.02] } 57... Rd3 { [%eval 6.85] } 58. Ra8?! { [%eval 5.2] } { Inaccuracy. Ke4 was best. } 58... Rd4+?! { [%eval 7.44] } { Inaccuracy. Rxf3+ was best. } 59. Kg3 { [%eval 7.11] } 59... Rd6? { [%eval #1] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rxg4+ was best. } 60. Rh8# 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Piran"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D51"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Knight Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You played hesitantly in the opening then, when trying to win material, combined some pawn moves which succeeded in exposing your King and Queen to attack. Development is always a priority in the opening! }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.3] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.39] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.21] } 4. Bg5 { [%eval -0.09] } 4... Nbd7 { [%eval 0.44] } 5. a3?! { [%eval -0.26] } { Very rarely played in the Queen's Gambit.
If you don't like facing the Cambridge Springs, try the Exchange Variation: } (5. cxd5 exd5 6. e3 (6. Qc2) 6... c6 7. Bd3) (5. e3 Bb4 { Going for a Ragozin is no better } (5... c6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bd3) 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bd3 c5 8. Ne2!) 5... h6 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. Bh4 { [%eval 0.01] } 6... g5?! { [%eval 0.63] } { Inaccuracy. dxc4 was best. } (6... dxc4) 7. Bg3 { [%eval 0.52] } 7... c5 { [%eval 0.64] } 8. e3 { [%eval 0.68] } 8... Qb6? { [%eval 2.01] } { Mistake. cxd4 was best. } (8... cxd4) 9. Qd2? { [%eval 0.38] } { Mistake. dxc5 was best. } (9. b4 cxd4 10. c5) (9. dxc5) 9... Bg7 { [%eval 0.47] } 10. Nf3?! { [%eval -0.09] } { Inaccuracy. h4 was best. } { The next few moves are important and wrong from both players: } (10. h4) 10... Nh5?? { [%eval 2.07] } { Blunder. Ne4 was best. } { Should lose a pawn. } (10... Ne4) 11. dxc5?? { [%eval 0.04] } { brings the Nd7 into the game to threaten a fork on b3, and also releases the Bc8 } (11. cxd5!) 11... Nxc5 $10 { [%eval 0.09] } 12. cxd5?? { [%eval -1.96] } { Blunder. Rd1 was best. } (12. Rd1 Nxg3) 12... Nxg3 { [%eval -1.91] } 13. fxg3 { [%eval -2.13] } (13. hxg3 { has to be better -- capturing with a pawn towards the centre is nearly always correct. } 13... Nb3 { still happens though }) 13... O-O? { [%eval -0.46] } { Mistake. Nb3 was best. } (13... Nb3 { TACTIC: fork }) 14. dxe6?? { [%eval -7.26] } { Blunder. Bc4 was best. } { Well yes, keeping your material, but this tips the White game from worse to lost: it's all about development. Black now has a sustained attack based on better development and activity, and White has no way to defend. } (14. Bc4 { =/=+ }) 14... Bxe6 { [%eval -6.96] } 15. Rb1 { [%eval -8.49] } (15. Qc2!) 15... Rad8 { [%eval -8.87] } 16. Qc2 { [%eval -8.99] } 16... Nb3 { [%eval -7.18] } { Discovering an attack on e3 } 17. Nd1 { [%eval -9.12] } 17... Qa5+ { [%eval -7.74] } 18. Nc3 { [%eval -7.96] } 18... g4 { [%eval -8.03] } 19. Nd4 { [%eval -9.54] } 19... Nxd4 { [%eval -8.89] } 20. exd4 { [%eval -8.92] } 20... Rxd4 { [%eval -7.94] } { White has lost the extra pawn and stands very badly. } 21. Be2 { [%eval -8.41] } 21... Qc5 { [%eval -6.41] } 22. Rc1 { [%eval -6.65] } 22... Rc8 { [%eval -6.57] } 23. Bd3 { [%eval -8.88] } 23... Qe5+ { [%eval -7.84] } 24. Qe2 { [%eval -9.26] } 24... Rxd3 { [%eval -9.13] } { They think it's all over... } 25. Qxe5 { [%eval -9.65] } 25... Bxe5 { [%eval -9.58] } 26. O-O { [%eval -9.7] } 26... Bxc3 { [%eval -9.43] } 27. bxc3 { [%eval -9.31] } 27... Rcxc3 { [%eval -9.32] } 28. Rb1 { [%eval -9.84] } 28... Bd5 { [%eval -9.19] } 29. Rf4 { [%eval -9.15] } 29... Rc2 { [%eval -9.98] } 30. Re1 { [%eval -18.12] } 30... Rxg2+ { [%eval -11.12] } 31. Kf1 { [%eval -10.95] } 31... Rdd2 { [%eval -12.6] } 32. Re8+ { [%eval -58.55] } 32... Kh7 { [%eval -12.45] } 33. Rxg4?! { [%eval #-8] } { and it's mate in a few e.g. } (33. Re5) 33... Rdf2+ 34. Ke1 Ra2 35. Kf1 Rxh2 36. Rh4 Bc4+ 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Devon A"]
[Black "Jamie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal"]
{ This was mostly a very nice build-up of an attack, with a splendid finish. 'Mostly' because you should have moved your Knight into a better position on move 12, but you did not risk being worse by this. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. Bc4 { [%eval 0.12] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 4. d3 { [%eval 0.21] } 4... Bc5 { [%eval 0.18] } 5. Bg5 { Maybe a little early: Knights before Bishops is often right. You nearly always know where your Knights belong, less often your Bishops. } 5... d6 { [%eval 0.13] } 6. Nbd2?! Qe7 { [%eval 0.08] } (6... h6 7. Bh4 (7. Be3 Bxe3 8. fxe3 Na5) 7... g5 8. Bg3 Nh5 9. Nxe5 Nxg3 10. Bxf7+!? $17 (10. Nxc6? Qf6 $19) 10... Kf8 11. Ng6+ Kxf7 12. Nxh8+ Qxh8 13. hxg3 Qxb2) 7. c3 { [%eval -0.07] } 7... Be6 { [%eval 0.23] } 8. Qb3 { [%eval 0.1] } 8... Nd8?! { Inaccuracy. Bc8 was best. } { [%eval 1.05] } 9. d4 $16 { With this central expansion White gains the advantage. } 9... exd4?! 10. cxd4 { [%eval 1.99] } 10... Bb6 { [%eval 2.04] } 11. e5 { [%eval 1.76] } (11. d5 { is also good }) 11... Bxc4 { [%eval 1.65] } 12. Qxc4? { Mistake. Nxc4 was best. } { [%eval 0.48] } (12. Nxc4 O-O 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. O-O { and Black sheds a piece }) 12... dxe5 { [%eval 0.68] } 13. dxe5 { [%eval 0.65] } 13... Nc6?? { Blunder. h6 was best. } { [%eval 4.79] } (13... h6! { escapes }) 14. O-O { Black is back in jail } 14... Nxe5 { [%eval 5.07] } 15. Nxe5 { [%eval 5.17] } 15... O-O { [%eval 5.31] } 16. Rfe1 { [%eval 4.42] } 16... Qd6 { [%eval 4.58] } 17. Rad1 { [%eval 4.47] } 17... Rfe8?! { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } { [%eval 6.23] } 18. Qxf7+ { [%eval 6.25] } 18... Kh8 { [%eval 6.21] } 19. Ndf3 { [%eval 6.27] } 19... Qc5?! { Inaccuracy. Qf8 was best. } { [%eval 10.7] } 20. Be3?! { Inaccuracy. Bxf6 was best. } { [%eval 6.06] } 20... Qb4 { [%eval 5.92] } 21. Bxb6 { [%eval 5.96] } 21... Qxb6 { [%eval 6.17] } 22. Qc4 { White is completely winning of course, but the finish was pleasing. } 22... Qxb2?? { Missing the point. } { Missing the point. } 23. Nf7+ { [%eval #3] } 23... Kg8 { [%eval #3] } 24. Nh6+ { [%eval #2] } 24... Kh8 { [%eval #2] } 25. Qg8+ { [%eval #1] } 25... Rxg8 { [%eval #1] } 26. Nf7# { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Niranjana"]
[Black "Somerset B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B22"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Again some very sensible development stampeded Black into losing a piece early on. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. c3 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... d6 { [%eval 0.48] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.66] } 3... cxd4 { [%eval 0.83] } 4. cxd4 { [%eval 0.54] } 4... Nd7?! { [%eval 1.46] } { Inaccuracy. d5 was best. } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 1.45] } 5... Ngf6 { [%eval 1.59] } 6. Nc3 { [%eval 1.56] } 6... g6? { [%eval 3.12] } { Mistake. e6 was best. } 7. Be3? { [%eval 0.81] } (7. e5! { and Black is facing defeat already: } 7... dxe5 8. dxe5 Ng4 9. Qa4 Nh6 10. e6 fxe6 11. Ng5 Qb6 12. Nb5 Nf5 13. Bf4) 7... Bg7 { [%eval 0.85] } 8. Bc4 { [%eval 1.07] } 8... O-O { [%eval 1.04] } 9. Qd2 { [%eval 0.69] } 9... b6 { [%eval 0.67] } 10. O-O-O?? { [%eval -1.2] } { Blunder. Rd1 was best. } { I like the ambition but you can't quite have it all here } 10... Bb7 { [%eval -1.07] } 11. Bd3 { [%eval -1.41] } 11... e5? { [%eval 0.09] } { Mistake. b5 was best. } (11... b5! { and both the Pe5 and your King safety are shaky }) 12. dxe5 { [%eval 0.13] } 12... dxe5 { [%eval 0.11] } 13. Bb5 { [%eval 0.07] } 13... a6?? { [%eval 2.79] } { Blunder. Qb8 was best. } { Black can't count or did not look hard enough for a defence. } (13... Nc5 { is OK for Black }) (13... Qc7! 14. Bxd7 Rad8! { is clever, and best }) 14. Bxd7 { [%eval 2.78] } 14... Nxd7? { [%eval 4.73] } { Mistake. Nxe4 was best. } 15. Qxd7 { [%eval 4.69] } 15... Qxd7 { [%eval 5.03] } 16. Rxd7 { [%eval 5.11] } { Winning. } 16... Ra7?! { [%eval 7.0] } { From bad to worse... } 17. Bxb6 { [%eval 6.94] } 17... Bh6+ { [%eval 7.38] } 18. Kd1 { [%eval 7.06] } 18... f5 { [%eval 7.97] } 19. Bxa7 { [%eval 8.11] } 19... fxe4 { [%eval 8.29] } 20. Nxe5 { [%eval 8.2] } 20... Bc8 { [%eval 8.08] } 21. Bc5 { [%eval 7.89] } 21... Rf5 { [%eval 12.76] } 22. Rd8+ { [%eval 12.76] } 22... Kg7 { [%eval 12.66] } 23. Rxc8 { [%eval 12.26] } 23... Bf4 { [%eval 13.08] } 24. Ng4 { [%eval 13.15] } 24... h5 { [%eval 14.15] } 25. Ne3 { [%eval 13.33] } 25... Re5 { [%eval 15.72] } 26. Bd4 { [%eval 14.67] } 26... g5 { [%eval 37.08] } 27. Bxe5+ { [%eval 17.09] } 27... Bxe5 { [%eval 17.14] } 28. Rc6 { [%eval 16.04] } 28... a5?! { [%eval #8] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kf8 was best. } 29. Kc2 { [%eval #7] } 29... Bxc3?? { [%eval #6] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kf7 was best. } 30. Rxc3 { [%eval #7] } 30... a4 { [%eval #6] } 31. Rd1 { [%eval #5] } 31... Kf7 { [%eval #5] } 32. Rd7+ { [%eval #5] } 32... Ke8 { [%eval #4] } 33. Rh7 { [%eval #3] } 33... Kd8 { [%eval #3] } { Black resigns, not before time. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Bristol/Glos"]
[Black "Niranjana"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A20"]
[Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ For a long while only White looked to have chances of an advantage, but some forceful manoeuvres provoked their collapse. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.25] } 2. g3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... c6 { [%eval 0.18] } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.12] } 3... e4 { [%eval 0.08] } 4. Nd4 { [%eval 0.22] } 4... d5 { [%eval 0.18] } 5. cxd5 { [%eval 0.17] } 5... Qxd5 { [%eval 0.25] } (5... Qb6!? { is an idea }) 6. Nc2 { [%eval 0.09] } 6... Nf6 { [%eval 0.33] } 7. Bg2 { [%eval -0.11] } { A stern test of White's opening: Black occupies the centre, but risks having it undermined. } 7... Bf5 { [%eval 0.35] } 8. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 8... Qa5?! { [%eval 0.7] } { Inaccuracy. Qd7 was best. } 9. O-O { [%eval 0.72] } 9... Bd6 $16 { [%eval 1.06] } { White does have a lot of pressure on your centre, but they never quite make it stick. } 10. b4?! { [%eval 0.37] } { Inaccuracy. d3 was best. } 10... Qc7 { [%eval 0.33] } 11. Bb2 { [%eval 0.3] } 11... Nbd7?! { [%eval 0.9] } { Inaccuracy. Bg6 was best. } 12. a3 { [%eval 0.45] } 12... O-O { [%eval 0.41] } 13. Ne3 { [%eval 0.36] } 13... Bg6 { [%eval 0.34] } 14. b5 { [%eval 0.17] } 14... c5 { [%eval 0.63] } 15. Ned5 { [%eval 0.12] } 15... Qd8 { [%eval 0.18] } 16. Rc1?! { [%eval -0.43] } { Inaccuracy. d3 was best. } 16... Re8 { [%eval 0.06] } 17. d3 { [%eval 0.0] } 17... exd3 { [%eval 0.05] } 18. exd3 $10 { [%eval 0.05] } { Black is no worse here. } 18... Ne5?! { [%eval 1.11] } { Inaccuracy. Be5 was best. } 19. Nf4?! { [%eval 0.09] } { Inaccuracy. Nxf6+ was best. } 19... Bf5 { [%eval 0.63] } 20. d4?! { [%eval -0.33] } { Inaccuracy. Ne4 was best. } 20... Nc4 { [%eval -0.49] } 21. Na4?? { [%eval -2.49] } { Blunder. Ba1 was best. } { This decentralising move upsets the apple cart. } 21... Nxb2 { [%eval -1.91] } 22. Nxb2 { [%eval -1.82] } 22... cxd4?! { [%eval -1.03] } (22... Bxf4! 23. gxf4 cxd4 24. Bxb7 Rb8 25. Bc6 Re6 26. Rc5 Bg4 27. f3 Bh3 28. Rf2 Qd6 { is complex but better for Black }) 23. Qxd4 { [%eval -1.11] } 23... Bxa3 { [%eval -1.13] } 24. Qxd8?? { [%eval -4.74] } { Blunder. Qc3 was best. } 24... Raxd8 { [%eval -4.84] } { And White finds themselves stranded. } 25. Nc4 { [%eval -4.83] } 25... Bxc1 { [%eval -4.79] } 26. Rxc1 { [%eval -4.76] } 26... g5 { [%eval -4.92] } 27. Nh3 { [%eval -4.64] } 27... Rc8 { [%eval -4.95] } 28. Nxg5 { [%eval -5.05] } 28... Bd3 { [%eval -4.47] } 29. Bxb7 { [%eval -4.58] } 29... Rxc4 { [%eval -4.49] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Guillaume"]
[Black "S Wales"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A16"]
[Opening "English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ This game was mostly about Black's catastrophe at move 19, but there were some interesting moments leading up to that point. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.29] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.15] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.51] } 3. g3 { [%eval 0.18] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.25] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.19] } 4... e6 { [%eval 0.49] } { Not quite a mistake, but perhaps a sign that Black is already making things up as they go along. The English needs a prepared defence every bit as much as 1.e4. } 5. e4 { [%eval 0.6] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.83] } 6. d3 { [%eval 0.31] } 6... Re8?? { [%eval 3.31] } { This awful blunder doesn't even have a point. } 7. Nge2?? { [%eval 0.5] } { Blunder. e5 was best. } { This shows the benefits and dangers of playing something like the English Opening; Black seems to have nothing in mind as a system and is making mistakes, but White is not really looking at the position, but trotting out some programmed moves. } (7. e5! { wins a piece }) 7... Nc6 { [%eval 0.68] } 8. O-O { [%eval 0.28] } 8... d5!? { [%eval 0.24] } { This possibly accidental pawn sacrifice is quite a smart move; although it drops a pawn, Black gets compensation. } 9. cxd5 { [%eval 0.3] } 9... exd5 { [%eval 0.31] } 10. exd5 { [%eval 0.3] } 10... Ne7 { [%eval 0.36] } 11. Nf4 { [%eval 0.09] } 11... c6?! { [%eval 0.67] } { Inaccuracy. Bg4 was best. } (11... Bg4 { Black should emphasise piece activity }) 12. dxc6 { [%eval 0.61] } 12... Nxc6 { [%eval 0.68] } { So White has a full pawn and Black has partial compensation. But White's next hands the advantage to Black. } 13. Bxc6? { [%eval -0.48] } { Beware giving up your Bishops in an open position... } 13... bxc6 { [%eval -0.5] } 14. d4 { [%eval -1.02] } { One small step for a pawn... but Black has the advantage now, as so many of their pieces stand well where they are. } 14... Ba6 { [%eval -1.05] } 15. Nfe2?! { [%eval -1.72] } { Inaccuracy. Re1 was best. } 15... Nd5 { [%eval -1.36] } (15... Qd7) 16. Re1 { [%eval -1.32] } 16... Qe7?? { [%eval 0.35] } (16... Nb4! $17 { reminds me of Byrne-Fischer, 1963, where White died horribly of weak light squares.
https://lichess.org/study/WSdWU9JC/HKJztW6i } 17. Qa4 Qb6 18. Be3 Nd3 19. Reb1 Rad8 20. Qb3 Qc7 { and White is barely hanging on. }) 17. Bf4?? { [%eval -1.45] } (17. Nxd5! { avoids trouble }) 17... Rad8? { [%eval 0.11] } { Mistake. Nb4 was best. } 18. Nxd5! { [%eval 0.14] } 18... cxd5 { [%eval 0.28] } 19. Nc3 { [%eval 0.04] } { White has grovelled their way to equality, despite the extra pawn.
But Black, having played pretty well so far, now overlooks something important... } 19... Bb7?? { [%eval 5.96] } { Blunder. Qxe1+ was best. } 20. Rxe7 { [%eval 5.96] } { Goodnight, nurse. } 20... Rxe7 { [%eval 5.96] } 21. Qd2 { [%eval 5.36] } 21... Bf6 { [%eval 5.51] } 22. Bg5 { [%eval 5.22] } 22... Bxg5 { [%eval 5.35] } 23. Qxg5 { [%eval 5.25] } 23... Rde8 { [%eval 5.25] } 24. Nxd5 { [%eval 5.37] } 24... Bxd5 { [%eval 5.7] } 25. Qxd5 { [%eval 5.74] } 25... Re1+ { [%eval 6.21] } 26. Rxe1 { [%eval 6.12] } 26... Rxe1+ { [%eval 6.11] } 27. Kg2 { [%eval 6.06] } 27... Re2 { [%eval 6.56] } 28. Qb5 { [%eval 6.25] } 28... Re4 { [%eval 6.78] } 29. Qb8+ { [%eval 6.6] } 29... Kg7 { [%eval 6.37] } 30. Qe5+ { [%eval 5.22] } { This doesn't disturb the likely result, but isn't necessary. } (30. Qxa7 Kf6 31. d5 Ke5 32. Qc5 Rd4 33. d6+ Rd5 34. Qxd5+ { was simple enough }) 30... Rxe5 { [%eval 5.22] } 31. dxe5 { [%eval 5.22] } { Now you handle the pawn endgame with sufficient accuracy. } 31... f6 { [%eval 5.66] } 32. exf6+ { [%eval 5.62] } 32... Kxf6 { [%eval 5.83] } 33. f4 { [%eval 5.7] } 33... h5 { [%eval 6.59] } 34. Kf3 { [%eval 6.53] } 34... Kf5 { [%eval 6.49] } 35. h3 { [%eval 6.42] } 35... a5 { [%eval 6.91] } 36. g4+ { [%eval 6.87] } 36... hxg4+ { [%eval 8.19] } 37. hxg4+ { [%eval 7.71] } 37... Kf6 { [%eval 6.84] } 38. Ke4 { [%eval 6.8] } 38... g5?? { [%eval #26] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. a4 was best. } 39. f5 { [%eval 96.05] } 39... a4 { [%eval 82.39] } 40. b3 { [%eval #17] } 40... axb3?? { [%eval #13] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Ke7 was best. } 41. axb3 { [%eval #12] } 41... Ke7 { [%eval #12] } 42. Ke5 { [%eval #11] } 42... Kf8 { [%eval #9] } 43. Kf6 { [%eval #15] } 43... Kg8 { [%eval #8] } 44. Ke7 { [%eval #7] } 44... Kg7 { [%eval #7] } 45. f6+ { [%eval #6] } 45... Kg6?? { [%eval #6] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kh7 was best. } 46. f7 { [%eval #5] } 46... Kg7 { [%eval #5] } 47. f8=Q+ { [%eval #4] } 1-0
[Event "Byrne, Robert - Fischer, Robert, New York 1963: Byrne, Robert - Fischer, Robert, New York 1963"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/WSdWU9JC/HKJztW6i"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E60"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.01.21"]
[UTCTime "23:55:32"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e3 { White has all but one of his pawns on dark squares. } (7. Nf3) 7... O-O 8. Nge2 Nc6 9. O-O b6 10. b3 Ba6 11. Ba3 Re8 12. Qd2 (12. f4 Rc8 13. Rc1 e6) 12... e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Rfd1 (14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 Qxd5 16. Bxd5 Bxe2 17. Bxa8 Bxf1 18. Kxf1 Rxa8) (14. Rad1) 14... Nd3 15. Qc2? Nxf2 16. Kxf2 Ng4+ (16... Rxe3 17. Kxe3 Ng4+ 18. Kd2 Rc8) 17. Kg1 Nxe3 18. Qd2 Nxg2! { This is the key move -- White cannot defend the light squares } 19. Kxg2 d4 20. Nxd4 Bb7+ { (light squares) } 21. Kf1 (21. Kg1 Bxd4+ 22. Qxd4 Re1+ 23. Rxe1 (23. Kf2 Qxd4+ 24. Rxd4 Rxa1) 23... Qxd4+) (21. Kf2 Qd7 22. Nf3 Qxd2+ 23. Rxd2 Bxc3) 21... Qd7 { (light squares)
A Grandmaster commenting on the game told the audience that Byrne has a won game. Then came 21...Qd7! and Robert Byrne resigned! } 22. Qf2 (22. Rac1 Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Bxd4+ 24. Qxd4 Qg2#) 22... Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Re1+ 24. Rxe1 (24. Qxe1 Qg2#) 24... Bxd4 25. Qxd4 (25. Rf1 Qg2#) 25... Qg2# 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Guillaume"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B70"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ When White blundered a piece, they were already losing. But you also missed something... }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.17] } 2... d6 { [%eval 0.0] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.25] } 3... cxd4 { [%eval 0.13] } 4. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.27] } 4... Nf6 { [%eval 0.3] } 5. Nc3 { [%eval 0.21] } 5... g6!? { [%eval 0.79] } { I like the Dragon for Black; the variations are Byzantine but the ideas are usually similar. } 6. Be2?! { [%eval 0.15] } { Inaccuracy. Be3 was best. } { Not wrong but not much of a challenge } 6... Bg7 { [%eval 0.24] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.16] } 7... O-O { [%eval 0.0] } 8. Be3 { [%eval 0.32] } 8... a6 { [%eval 0.33] } 9. f3 { [%eval 0.24] } 9... Bd7 { [%eval 0.25] } 10. Bc4?! { [%eval -0.14] } { White fidgets with a developed Bishop... Proof, if any were needed, that White has no system or variation in mind to combat the Dragon. } 10... Nc6 { [%eval -0.15] } 11. Re1 { [%eval -0.09] } { White is not well-placed to open the e-file. } 11... Rc8 { [%eval -0.09] } 12. Bd5?! { [%eval -0.95] } { Inaccuracy. Nxc6 was best. } { White starts to veer off-course. Giving up the Bishop pair like this is not worth the half-open e-file. } 12... Nxd5 { [%eval -1.06] } 13. Nxc6?? { [%eval -5.3] } { Blunder. Nxd5 was best. } 13... bxc6?? $17 { [%eval -0.96] } { Black now wins a pawn, but there was a better offer on the table. } (13... Nxc3! $19 { is a winning intermezzo, which wasn't too hard to spot. Aagaard says you should always make your move a deliberate choice between two moves, and try never to make an automatic move or recapture. If you try to think of a second candidate move here, you will surely hit on ...Nxc6. }) 14. exd5 { [%eval -0.93] } 14... Bxc3 { [%eval -0.86] } 15. bxc3 { [%eval -0.91] } 15... cxd5 { [%eval -0.77] } 16. Bh6?! { [%eval -1.64] } { Inaccuracy. Rb1 was best. } 16... Qb6+ { [%eval -1.48] } 17. Kh1 { [%eval -1.69] } 17... Rfe8 { [%eval -1.59] } 18. Be3 { [%eval -2.01] } 18... Qc6 { [%eval -2.13] } 19. Bd4 { [%eval -2.12] } 19... e5 { [%eval -2.26] } 20. Bf2 { [%eval -2.17] } 20... Be6 { [%eval -2.26] } 21. Re3 { [%eval -2.19] } { Black stands clearly better. } 21... d4? { [%eval -0.69] } { Mistake. Rb8 was best. } { or } (21... Qa4!) 22. cxd4 { [%eval -0.87] } 22... Qxc2 { [%eval -0.75] } 23. Qxc2?! { [%eval -1.64] } { Inaccuracy. Bg3 was best. } (23. Bg3 { and White has hopes of recovery. }) 23... Rxc2 { [%eval -1.68] } 24. dxe5?? { [%eval -5.37] } { Blunder. Bg1 was best. } { Oops } 24... Rxf2 { [%eval -5.33] } 25. exd6 { [%eval -5.24] } 25... Rd2 { [%eval -5.32] } 26. Ree1 { [%eval -5.41] } 26... Rd8 { [%eval -5.6] } 27. Red1 { [%eval -5.45] } 27... R8xd6 { [%eval -5.35] } 28. Rxd2 { [%eval -5.54] } 28... Rxd2 { [%eval -5.43] } 29. Kg1 { [%eval -6.02] } 29... Rxa2 { [%eval -5.89] } 30. Rxa2 { [%eval -6.86] } 30... Bxa2 { [%eval -6.78] } 31. Kf2 { [%eval -6.85] } 31... Kf8 { [%eval -6.59] } 32. Ke3 { [%eval -6.55] } 32... Ke7 { [%eval -6.58] } 33. Kd4 { [%eval -6.58] } 33... Kd6 { [%eval -6.66] } 34. Ke4 { [%eval -6.85] } 34... a5 { [%eval -6.81] } 35. Kd4 { [%eval -6.76] } 35... a4 { [%eval -6.98] } 36. Kc3 { [%eval -7.03] } 36... Bb3 { [%eval -7.23] } 37. Kb2 { [%eval -7.18] } 37... Ke5 { [%eval -7.23] } 38. Kb1 { [%eval -7.37] } 38... Kd4 { [%eval -7.35] } 39. Ka1 { [%eval -7.62] } 39... Kc3 { [%eval -14.95] } 40. g4?! { [%eval #-8] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kb1 was best. } 40... Bd1? { [%eval -8.48] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. g5 was best. } 41. h4 { [%eval -10.06] } 41... Bxf3 { [%eval -16.63] } 42. g5?! { [%eval #-31] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Ka2 was best. } 42... Kd4?! { [%eval -11.85] } { Lost forced checkmate sequence. Bd5 was best. } 43. Ka2 { [%eval -10.61] } 43... Ke5 { [%eval -12.1] } 44. Ka3 { [%eval -11.81] } 44... Bc6 { [%eval -13.47] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Guillaume"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ w/o }
0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Dylan"]
[Black "Alex"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B21"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation"]
{ A sprightly opening gambit was met by a sophisticated modern system, and you got a fairly standard position but not an easy one to play. You had a decent idea to make progress, but unfortunately picked a move that lost the exchange, and your attempt to make trouble did not tempt any mistakes from your opponent. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.09] } 2... cxd4 { [%eval 0.18] } 3. c3 { [%eval -0.26] } 3... dxc3 { [%eval -0.21] } 4. Nxc3 { [%eval -0.28] } 4... Nc6 { [%eval -0.19] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval -0.64] } 5... e6 { [%eval -0.09] } 6. Bc4 { [%eval -0.28] } 6... a6 { [%eval -0.36] } 7. O-O { [%eval -0.23] } 7... b5 { [%eval -0.16] } 8. Bb3 { [%eval -0.47] } 8... Bb7 { [%eval -0.46] } 9. Qe2 { [%eval -0.44] } 9... d6? { [%eval 0.78] } { Mistake. Nge7 was best. } 10. Bf4 { [%eval 0.29] } 10... Nge7 { [%eval 0.18] } 11. Rfd1 { [%eval 0.27] } 11... Ng6 { [%eval 0.28] } 12. Bg3 { [%eval 0.33] } 12... Be7 { [%eval 0.4] } 13. Rac1?! { [%eval -0.28] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } 13... Rc8?! { [%eval 0.42] } { Inaccuracy. Qb6 was best. } 14. e5?! { [%eval -0.3] } { Inaccuracy. h4 was best. } 14... d5 { [%eval -0.62] } 15. Ne4?! { [%eval -1.29] } { Inaccuracy. Bc2 was best. } 15... O-O? { [%eval 0.03] } { Mistake. Ncxe5 was best. } 16. Nc5? { [%eval -1.61] } { Mistake. Nd6 was best. } (16. Nd6 Bxd6 17. exd6 $10 { And White has two good Bishops, Black none, and Black has no good way to round up the d-pawn. You might have been hoping for something similar with your chosen move, but there is a tactical flaw... }) 16... Bxc5 { [%eval -1.81] } 17. Rxc5 { [%eval -1.69] } { TACTIC: discovery } 17... Nd4! { [%eval -1.68] } { winning the exchange. It's worth asking yourself what went wrong here: stopped your analysis after Rxc5? } 18. Nxd4 { [%eval -1.54] } 18... Rxc5 { [%eval -1.63] } 19. f4 { [%eval -1.92] } 19... Bc8 { [%eval -1.46] } 20. Qe3 { [%eval -1.39] } 20... Rc7 { [%eval -1.46] } 21. Re1 { [%eval -1.81] } 21... Re8 { [%eval -1.74] } 22. f5? { [%eval -3.12] } { Mistake. Bf2 was best. } { Stockfish labels this a mistake but practically speaking you have to give your opponent a chance to make a mistake, and this looks like the best try. } 22... exf5 { [%eval -3.24] } 23. e6 { [%eval -3.17] } 23... Rce7 { [%eval -3.31] } 24. Nc6?! { [%eval -4.16] } { Inaccuracy. Qf2 was best. } 24... Rxe6 { [%eval -4.22] } 25. Qxe6 { [%eval -4.35] } 25... Qb6+ { [%eval -4.21] } 26. Bf2 { [%eval -4.16] } 26... Rxe6 { [%eval -4.29] } 27. Rxe6 { [%eval -4.36] } 27... Qxf2+ { [%eval -4.39] } 28. Kxf2 { [%eval -4.3] } 28... fxe6 { [%eval -4.24] } 29. g3 { [%eval -4.85] } 29... Kf7 { [%eval -4.83] } 30. Bd1 { [%eval -5.37] } 30... Kf6 { [%eval -5.41] } 31. Ke3 { [%eval -5.48] } 31... Ne5 { [%eval -5.25] } 32. Na5 { [%eval -5.4] } 32... Nc4+ { [%eval -5.19] } 33. Nxc4 { [%eval -5.1] } 33... bxc4 { [%eval -4.79] } 34. Kd4 { [%eval -4.8] } 34... g5 { [%eval -4.95] } 35. a4 { [%eval -5.22] } 35... f4 { [%eval -5.14] } 36. g4 { [%eval -5.52] } 36... Ke7 { [%eval -5.5] } 37. Ke5 { [%eval -5.92] } 37... a5 { [%eval -5.9] } 38. Be2 { [%eval -5.84] } 38... Bd7 { [%eval -5.95] } 39. Bd1 { [%eval -5.91] } 39... Bc6 { [%eval -5.91] } 40. h4 { [%eval -6.02] } 40... gxh4 { [%eval -6.0] } 41. Kxf4 { [%eval -6.16] } 41... Kd6 { [%eval -6.0] } 42. b3 { [%eval -6.73] } 42... cxb3 { [%eval -7.29] } 43. Bxb3 { [%eval -7.29] } 43... Bd7 { [%eval -6.44] } 44. Bd1 { [%eval -6.39] } 44... e5+ { [%eval -6.55] } 45. Kf3 { [%eval -6.83] } 45... Kc5 { [%eval -6.84] } 46. Kg2 { [%eval -6.66] } 46... Kd4 { [%eval -6.74] } 47. Kh3 { [%eval -8.23] } 47... Ke3 { [%eval -7.23] } 48. Kxh4 { [%eval -6.78] } 48... Kf4 { [%eval -8.42] } 49. Bc2 { [%eval -8.91] } 49... Bxg4 { [%eval #-14] } 50. Bb3 { [%eval #-23] } 50... Bf3 { [%eval #-11] } 51. Kh3 { [%eval #-20] } 51... d4 { [%eval #-8] } { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales"]
[Black "Dylan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Opening "Pirc Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You didn't really stamp your authority on this game and White's natural-looking moves gave them a big advantage. However, they gradually gave it all away, but just as you got equality, you misjudged a key move and went into an endgame where you were outnumbered and had an agarophobic Rook. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... d6?! { [%eval 0.75] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.4] } 2... Nf6 { [%eval 0.63] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.74] } 3... g6 { [%eval 0.55] } 4. Be3 { [%eval 0.49] } 4... Bg7 { [%eval 0.8] } { I'm not wild about the Pirc for Black; these hypermodern defences require a level of sophisticated play which is usually best learned by playing simpler openings. } 5. f3 { [%eval 0.62] } 5... c6 { [%eval 0.51] } 6. Qd2 { [%eval 0.32] } 6... b5 { [%eval 0.36] } 7. g4 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... Nbd7 { [%eval 0.5] } 8. Nge2 { [%eval 0.35] } { A fairly standard position but as the central pawns have yet to clash, it is hard to know where you want your pieces, and if we add some tactical complexity, it is no surprise that both sides make mistakes. I guess you always want to pick an opening where your opponent makes mistakes, but you do need one which is easier for you to play than them. In the Pirc, familiarity has to be the key, because I think the whole system is harder to play for Black than for White... } 8... e5?! { [%eval 1.1] } { Inaccuracy. Nb6 was best. } 9. Ng3?! { [%eval 0.43] } { Inaccuracy. g5 was best. } (9. g5! { starts a complex line recommended by Stockfish, continuing } 9... b4 10. gxf6 bxc3 11. Nxc3 Qxf6 12. d5 c5 13. O-O-O!) 9... Bb7? { [%eval 2.05] } { Mistake. O-O was best. } 10. g5 { [%eval 2.02] } 10... Ng8 { [%eval 2.09] } 11. d5 { [%eval 2.23] } 11... b4 { [%eval 2.05] } 12. dxc6 { [%eval 1.94] } 12... Bxc6?! { [%eval 3.03] } { Inaccuracy. bxc3 was best. } { Black's pawns look pretty beaten up. } 13. Nd5?! { [%eval 2.21] } (13. Nb5! { is the move which rubs in that point }) 13... Bxd5?! { [%eval 2.73] } (13... a5!) 14. Qxd5 { [%eval 2.72] } 14... Nb6 { [%eval 3.1] } 15. Bb5+ { [%eval 3.11] } 15... Kf8 { [%eval 2.9] } { White has a huge advantage here, but didn't seem to know what to do with it, and it all dribbled away. } 16. Bxb6?! { [%eval 1.92] } { Inaccuracy. Qd2 was best. } 16... axb6 { [%eval 1.95] } 17. Bc4 { [%eval 1.98] } 17... Ra7 { [%eval 1.9] } 18. Rd1 { [%eval 1.41] } 18... Rd7 { [%eval 1.44] } 19. Bb5 { [%eval 1.31] } 19... Ne7 { [%eval 1.13] } 20. Qd3 { [%eval 0.96] } 20... Rc7 { [%eval 1.16] } 21. Qxd6 { [%eval 1.16] } 21... Qxd6 { [%eval 1.14] } 22. Rxd6 { [%eval 1.14] } 22... Kg8 { [%eval 1.17] } 23. Ba4 { [%eval 1.04] } 23... b5 { [%eval 0.83] } 24. Bb3 { [%eval 1.07] } 24... Nc6 { [%eval 1.01] } 25. O-O?! { [%eval 0.22] } { Inaccuracy. h4 was best. } 25... Nd4 $10 { [%eval 0.06] } { I think Black can claim equality here, despite the undeveloped Rh8, although the opposite-coloured Bishops might spice things up. } 26. Rd8+ { [%eval 0.03] } 26... Bf8 { [%eval 0.06] } 27. f4 { [%eval 0.04] } { White has a transparent intention to gang up on f7. } 27... exf4?? { [%eval 2.22] } { Black is losing a piece on d4, but can hope to recover material by the attack on g3 or a pin from c5... or both! But hard-headed analysis shows that both lines are better for White. Not sure what you missed here? } (27... Nxb3! { Solves a few problems at once. } 28. cxb3 exf4 29. Rxf4 h6 30. gxh6 Kh7 $10) 28. Rxd4 { [%eval 2.13] } 28... Bc5? { [%eval 3.97] } { Mistake. fxg3 was best. } (28... fxg3 29. Rxf7! gxh2+ 30. Kxh2 Rxf7 31. Rd7 h6 32. Bxf7+ Kh7 { and White has a bind, even if the attempt to make trouble with } 33. e5 { is not decisive. Still, this line was preferable to the game continuation. }) 29. Ne2 { [%eval 3.95] } 29... Bxd4+ { [%eval 4.66] } 30. Nxd4 { [%eval 4.57] } { White has two pieces for a Rook, and Black's Rh8 is still hors de combat, so for the moment is effectively two pieces up. } 30... Rc5 { [%eval 5.46] } 31. Rxf4 { [%eval 5.58] } 31... Rxg5+ { [%eval 5.6] } 32. Kf2 { [%eval 5.6] } 32... Kg7 { [%eval 5.54] } 33. Rxf7+ { [%eval 5.31] } 33... Kh6 { [%eval 5.46] } 34. Rf4 { [%eval 5.35] } 34... Rh5 { [%eval 5.43] } 35. h4 { [%eval 5.31] } 35... g5?! { [%eval 6.89] } { Inaccuracy. Rc5 was best. } 36. hxg5+ { [%eval 5.73] } 36... Rxg5 { [%eval 5.99] } 37. Bd5 { [%eval 5.31] } 37... Rc8 { [%eval 5.8] } { This Rook finally has something to say. } 38. Bb3 { [%eval 5.24] } 38... Rd8 { [%eval 5.97] } 39. Nf3 { [%eval 5.69] } 39... Rg6 { [%eval 5.8] } 40. e5 { [%eval 5.79] } 40... Rgg8 { [%eval 6.38] } 41. Rxb4 { [%eval 5.89] } 41... Rgf8 { [%eval 5.92] } 42. Re4 { [%eval 5.83] } 42... Rf5 { [%eval 5.88] } 43. Kg3 { [%eval 5.62] } 43... Re8 { [%eval 5.73] } 44. Rf4 { [%eval 5.58] } 44... Rxf4 { [%eval 5.53] } 45. Kxf4 { [%eval 5.3] } 45... Kg7 { [%eval 5.02] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Dylan"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C17"]
[Opening "French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A terrific attacking try which nearly came off. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.39] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.4] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Bb4?! { [%eval 0.59] } { Inaccuracy. Nf6 was best. } 4. e5 { [%eval 0.13] } 4... c5 { [%eval 0.77] } 5. Nf3?! { [%eval 0.17] } { Inaccuracy. a3 was best. } { I don't know much about this line, ChessPublishing refuses to cover it, although I seem to remember attacking maestro Julian Hodgson dabbled with it in the late 1980s. } 5... cxd4 { [%eval 0.22] } 6. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } (6. Qxd4!? { was always Hodgson's choice, declaring himself to be ahead in development. } 6... Nc6 7. Bb5 Qa5 8. Bd2 Ne7 9. Qg4 O-O 10. Bd3 d4 11. O-O Nf5 12. Ne4 Bxd2 13. Nexd2 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf3 Qc5 16. Rfe1 Rd8 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Bxf5 exf5 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. Nxd4 Re8 21. f3 f4 22. Kf2 g5 23. Nb3 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Rc8 25. Nd4 Kf8 26. c3 f6 27. Re4 Rc5 28. Ne6+ Bxe6 29. Rxe6 Rd5 30. Ke2 Kf7 31. Re4 Rd7 32. Rd4 Re7+ 33. Kd2 Kg6 34. c4 Kf5 35. b4 Rg7 36. Kd3 Re7 37. Rd5+ Kg6 38. Kd2 Rc7 39. c5 Kf7 40. Kd3 Re7 41. b5 Ke8 42. Kd4 Re1 43. c6 bxc6 44. bxc6 Rc1 45. Rc5 Rd1+ 46. Ke4 Re1+ 47. Kf5 Kd8 48. Kxf6 h6 49. c7+ Kc8 50. Rc2 Rh1 51. h3 Rb1 52. Kg6 Rb6+ 53. Kh5 a5 54. h4 gxh4 55. Kxh4 a4 56. Kh3 Rb4 57. Kg4 a3 58. Rc3 Rb2 59. Rxa3 Rxg2+ 60. Kxf4 Kxc7 61. Ra6 h5 62. a4 h4 63. Rh6 Ra2 64. Rxh4 Rxa4+ 65. Kg5 Ra5+ 66. Kf6 Ra3 67. Rc4+ Kd8 68. f4 Ke8 69. f5 { Hodgson, Julian M - Ravi, Lanka, 1-0, London Peace, 1987, https://lichess.org/FFQs8wUj }) 6... Nc6 { [%eval -0.17] } (6... Qc7!?) 7. Nxc6 { [%eval -0.29] } 7... bxc6 { [%eval -0.06] } 8. Bd2 { [%eval -0.47] } (8. Qg4 { is a common idea in the French: there is no harm in getting your Queen out early if it cannot be attacked. } 8... Bf8 { may be the best reply! }) 8... Ne7 { [%eval 0.0] } 9. Bd3 { [%eval -0.36] } (9. Qg4!?) 9... Ng6 { [%eval -0.17] } 10. Qe2 { [%eval -0.47] } 10... Qc7 { [%eval -0.15] } 11. f4 { [%eval -0.64] } (11. a3!?) 11... Bxc3?! { [%eval 0.21] } { Inaccuracy. d4 was best. } 12. bxc3 { [%eval 0.24] } 12... c5 { [%eval 0.25] } { With a fairly normal-looking Winawer position. } 13. O-O { [%eval 0.06] } 13... c4 { [%eval -0.1] } 14. Bxg6 { [%eval -0.12] } 14... hxg6?! { [%eval 0.6] } { Inaccuracy. fxg6 was best. } { 99 times out of 100, you want to capture towards the centre... but maybe this is the exception. } (14... fxg6 { Black's king's-side looks pretty solid and the half-open f-file may be an asset. }) 15. Be3 { [%eval 0.6] } 15... Bd7 { [%eval 0.72] } 16. Rab1 { [%eval 0.26] } 16... O-O { [%eval 0.2] } 17. Rf3 { [%eval 0.13] } 17... Rab8 { [%eval 0.58] } 18. Rxb8? { [%eval -0.72] } { Mistake. Rbf1 was best. } { If you want to attack, keep pieces on. } 18... Rxb8 { [%eval -0.84] } 19. Rh3? { [%eval -2.38] } { Mistake. Qe1 was best. } { "He who risks nothing, gains nothing."
You can't hang around and watch your Queen's-side crumble. } 19... Rb1+ { [%eval -2.22] } 20. Kf2 { [%eval -2.37] } 20... Rb2?! { [%eval -1.47] } (20... Qa5! { The Queen was not contributing to the defence. }) 21. Qg4 { [%eval -1.71] } 21... Rxc2+ { [%eval -1.62] } 22. Kf3?? { [%eval -6.26] } { The back rank looked dangerous, but this is worse... } (22. Kf1!? Qb7 23. Bf2! f5! $19) 22... Qc6?? { [%eval 0.0] } (22... d4! 23. Bxd4 Qb7+ { and White is helpless } 24. Ke3 (24. Kg3 Rxg2+) 24... Qb1) 23. Bd4! { [%eval 0.0] } { Good! This stops any ...d4 ideas } 23... Rxc3+?? { [%eval 4.4] } { This of course re-awakens them, but at too much cost. Black will have only one piece in the attack, and so can hope only for a perpetual. } (23... Rd2) 24. Bxc3 { [%eval 4.33] } 24... d4+ { [%eval 4.33] } 25. Kg3 { [%eval 4.31] } 25... Qe4 { [%eval 4.24] } 26. Qh4?? { [%eval 0.0] } { Putting all the chips on red, but now Black has a straightforward perpetual. } (26. Qf3! { leaves Black without any useful checks, and White with a winning game } 26... Qxf3+ 27. Kxf3 dxc3 28. Ke2 c2 29. Rc3 { and White really should win }) 26... Qe3+ { [%eval 0.0] } 27. Kg4 { [%eval 0.0] } 27... Qe2+ { [%eval 0.0] } 28. Kg3 { [%eval 0.0] } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Suhayl"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The opening -- a surprise? -- didn't go well for you at all, but Black soon squandered their advantage and even allowed you a deadly fork with check. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.26] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.3] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.39] } 3... a6 { [%eval 0.41] } { An interesting modern try, but devised many years ago by Janowski. We might compare it with 3...Be7 as a waiting move; it develops nothing but has a mild threat to take and keep the pawn on c4.
White has to commit themselves to a move they might prefer to avoid. For example, playing Nf3 will not allow White to use the Exchange Variation with Nge2 and f3, as is recommended by many repertoire books, while playing the Exchange Variation right now allows Black to try some other setup, perhaps with ...Bd6, ...Ne7 and ...Bf5. } 4. a4?! { [%eval -0.32] } { chosen by only 2 white players in 1100 master games known to the Lichess database... } (4. cxd5 exd5 { is overwhelmingly the most common choice among masters. }) (4. e3) (4. Nf3) 4... Nc6?! { [%eval -0.05] } { Unless you are playing a Tchigorin Defence (2...Nc6) and going hard for ...e5, I would always advise Black to leave their c-pawn free to move in d-pawn openings. You can (half-)open a file with ...c5 or support the d-pawn with ...c6. Also, the Knight often has no very good square to go next, but on d7 it is on the circuit to get to e4 or some other King's-side post. In this game, b4 does appeal, and it actually finds a role on a5. } 5. Nf3 { [%eval -0.2] } 5... dxc4 { [%eval -0.11] } 6. e4 { [%eval -0.61] } (6. e3 { is less aggressive but more realistic! After a weedy move like a4, White must limit their ambitions. } 6... Na5 7. Ne5 $10) 6... Na5 { [%eval -0.22] } 7. Bf4?! { [%eval -1.02] } { Inaccuracy. Be2 was best. } 7... Nf6 { [%eval -0.98] } 8. Qc2 { [%eval -1.26] } 8... c6 { [%eval -0.97] } (8... Bb4! $17 { Black has an extra pawn, no weaknesses and fair development. }) 9. Rd1 { [%eval -0.88] } 9... b5 { [%eval -1.02] } 10. Na2?! { [%eval -1.58] } { This is no threat to Black, although it may have tempted the error coming up. } 10... Be7 { [%eval -1.62] } 11. Be2 { [%eval -1.64] } 11... b4? { [%eval -0.34] } { Mistake. Bb7 was best. } { Aggressive, but inconsistent. Black has spent a lot of moves trying to hang on to the c-pawn, so to give it up now means those moves are sort of wasted. } (11... Bb7 $19) 12. Bxc4 { [%eval -0.27] } 12... b3?! { [%eval 0.48] } { Inaccuracy. Qb6 was best. } { Black is tempted to a little combination to swap their b-pawn for the White e-pawn... } 13. Bxb3 { [%eval 0.4] } 13... Nxb3 { [%eval 0.39] } 14. Qxb3 { [%eval 0.49] } 14... Nxe4 $14 { [%eval 0.44] } { ...Mission accomplished, but White is way ahead in development and should be able to generate some threats. } 15. Qc2?! { [%eval 0.25] } { A one-move threat, moving a developed piece twice... } (15. O-O!) 15... Qd5 { [%eval 0.4] } { ...met by a developing move which attacks a2. } 16. O-O! { [%eval 0.5] } { That's rather good -- you don't have to defend a2. } 16... f6?! { [%eval 1.57] } { Inaccuracy. Bb7 was best. } { Ugly and I don't know what purpose it serves. } (16... O-O!) 17. Rfe1 { [%eval 1.27] } 17... Qxa2?? { [%eval 3.65] } { Blunder. O-O was best. } { After hesitating, Black decides that they can in fact take on a2... } 18. Qxc6+ { [%eval 3.77] } { ... but they are quite wrong! } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Suhayl"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B23"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Closed"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Your opponent built up a big plus, gave it away, but managed to build it up again! So that rather suggests you could work harder on finding (or learning) some effective plans in these sorts of positions, but the main takeaway is you need to castle before opening up the centre. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.24] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.45] } 3. b3?! { [%eval -0.41] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } { This has some idea of being awkward if Black plays ...e6 with a light-square control instead of ...d6 controlling the dark squares. } 3... Nc6 { [%eval -0.17] } (3... b6 { is supposed to be a good reply, as d3 to protect the e-pawn will create some holes. But White can do better with d2-d4. }) 4. Bb2 { [%eval -0.24] } 4... Nf6 { [%eval 0.0] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval -0.25] } 5... d6 { [%eval 0.25] } 6. Bb5 { [%eval -0.2] } 6... Bd7 { [%eval 0.17] } 7. Qe2 { [%eval -0.14] } 7... a6 { [%eval 0.39] } (7... e5 { is more combative, shutting the Bb2 out of the game. }) 8. Bxc6 { [%eval 0.44] } 8... Bxc6 { [%eval 0.56] } 9. d4 { [%eval 0.46] } 9... cxd4?! { [%eval 1.08] } { Very natural for a Sicilian player, but } (9... d5 { should always be on your candidate list too. }) 10. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.98] } 10... e5 { [%eval 1.45] } 11. Nxc6 { [%eval 1.5] } 11... bxc6 { [%eval 1.44] } 12. Qc4 { [%eval 0.97] } 12... Qd7?! { [%eval 1.21] } (12... Qb6!) 13. O-O-O { [%eval 1.37] } 13... Be7 { [%eval 1.44] } 14. Na4?! { [%eval 0.81] } (14. f4! $18 { and White has the initiative on all parts of the board. }) 14... d5? { [%eval 2.14] } { Mistake. Qb7 was best. } { Ooh, don't open the game if you are uncastled or behind in development... here you are both of those! } 15. Qe2?! { [%eval 1.44] } { Inaccuracy. exd5 was best. } (15. exd5! { White should open the game even of they can't see a way forward yet } 15... cxd5 { but having got this far, it's not so hard to find } 16. Qe2 $18 { with threats on e5 and b6 }) 15... Qc7? { [%eval 3.26] } { Mistake. Qg4 was best. } 16. exd5 { [%eval 3.43] } 16... Nxd5 { [%eval 4.02] } 17. Bxe5 { [%eval 4.09] } 17... Qa5 { [%eval 4.24] } 18. Bxg7 { [%eval 4.07] } 18... Rg8 { [%eval 4.36] } 19. Rhe1?! { [%eval 3.14] } { Inaccuracy. Bb2 was best. } 19... Qb4?! { [%eval 4.93] } { Inaccuracy. Rxg7 was best. } 20. Bb2 { [%eval 4.62] } 20... Rxg2 { [%eval 5.17] } { Black is uncoordinated and has a very vulnerable King.
Stockfish assesses White's advantage as +5, i.e. worth a Rook, and White has a choice of fairly straightforward ways to finish off. But... they ignore them all. } 21. c3?? { [%eval 1.13] } { Lets Black off the hook. } (21. Rd4 Qd6 22. Nb6 Ra7 (22... Rd8 23. Nxd5 cxd5 24. Rxd5) 23. Nc8) (21. c4! Nf4 (21... Nc7 22. a3) 22. Qe4 Rxf2 23. Qxc6+) 21... Qf4+ { [%eval 1.09] } 22. Kb1 { [%eval 0.97] } 22... Rxf2 { [%eval 1.06] } { and White has to give up the e-file battery } 23. Qe4?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Qd3 was best. } (23. Qd3 $16 { keeps a plus }) 23... Qxe4+ { [%eval 0.0] } 24. Rxe4 $10 { [%eval 0.01] } { Black can claim equality. But White still has a little play down the centre files and the advantage soon slips again... } 24... Rxh2?! { [%eval 1.01] } (24... f5! 25. Ree1 Kf7! { is simple and human }) (24... O-O-O! { is Stockfish's suggestion } 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. Rxe7 (26. Nb6+ Kd8 27. Nxd5 cxd5 28. Re5 Rxh2) 26... Rd1+ $19) 25. Ba3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. c4 was best. } 25... Ra7 { [%eval 0.36] } 26. Rde1 { [%eval -0.17] } 26... Kd8 { [%eval 0.0] } 27. Bb2 { [%eval -0.08] } 27... Rd7 { [%eval -0.19] } 28. c4 { [%eval -0.1] } { White has a threat of Rxe7 and Bf6, which Black needs to spot and counter. } 28... Nb4?! { [%eval 0.69] } { Inaccuracy. f5 was best. } 29. Bc3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Rxe7 was best. } 29... Nxa2?? { [%eval 2.16] } { Blunder. Nd3 was best. } 30. Ba1? { [%eval 0.73] } { Mistake. Ba5+ was best. } 30... Rd3 { [%eval 0.83] } 31. Rxe7 { [%eval 0.63] } 31... Rxb3+ { [%eval 0.63] } 32. Bb2 { [%eval 0.71] } 32... Rbxb2+?? { [%eval 3.86] } { Blunder. Nc3+ was best. } { Oh no! } 33. Nxb2 { [%eval 3.64] } { I am guessing that you missed this backwards move... } 33... Nc3+ { [%eval 3.96] } 34. Kc1 { [%eval 3.91] } 34... Rh3?! { [%eval 5.11] } { Inaccuracy. Na2+ was best. } 35. R7e3 { [%eval 5.1] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales"]
[Black "Suhayl"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B22"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You equalised easily which was great to see, and even got a big plus after White bungled move 15, but you drifted for the rest of the game. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.33] } 2. c3 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.28] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.11] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.21] } 4. exd5 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... exd5 { [%eval 0.16] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 0.23] } 5... Nc6 { [%eval 0.34] } 6. Bd3 { [%eval 0.2] } (6. Bb5) 6... Bg4 { [%eval 0.44] } 7. Nbd2 { [%eval -0.05] } 7... cxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 8. cxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 8... Qe7+ { [%eval -0.01] } 9. Qe2?! { [%eval -0.59] } { Inaccuracy. Be2 was best. } 9... Qxe2+ { [%eval -0.49] } 10. Bxe2 { [%eval -0.41] } 10... Bb4 { [%eval -0.41] } 11. O-O { [%eval -0.45] } 11... Nf6 { [%eval 0.09] } { The most natural but perhaps not the most accurate. } (11... f6 { or }) (11... Nge7 { fit the position a little better }) 12. Nb3 { [%eval 0.14] } 12... O-O-O { [%eval 0.19] } 13. a3 { [%eval 0.16] } 13... Bd6 { [%eval 0.13] } 14. Bg5 { [%eval 0.16] } 14... Rde8 { [%eval 0.22] } 15. Bxf6?? { [%eval -2.53] } { The Be2 is attacked and although this looks like a reasonable intermezzo, it drops a pawn. } (15. Rfe1) 15... Rxe2 { [%eval -2.54] } (15... gxf6 16. Rfe1 { is hardly better for White; Black has the two Bishops to keep him warm. }) 16. Be5 { [%eval -2.65] } (16. Bxg7?? Rg8 { wins a piece, which may have been what White missed. }) 16... Nxe5?! { [%eval -1.6] } (16... Bxf3! { is best, e.g. } 17. Bxd6 Rxb2 18. Nc5 Be2 19. Rfe1 b6 20. Na4 Rc2 21. Rac1 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Bc4 { with a healthy extra pawn and the better position.
"Now I have the pawn and the compensation!" -- Roman Dzhindzhikhashvili }) 17. Nxe5 { [%eval -1.43] } 17... Bxe5 { [%eval -1.16] } 18. dxe5 { [%eval -0.95] } 18... Rxe5 { [%eval -0.44] } { again with an extra pawn, but the position is more even. Double Rook endgames tend towards draws, because of the capacity of the defending side to make threats. } 19. Rac1+ { [%eval -0.44] } 19... Kb8 { [%eval -0.5] } 20. Nc5?! { [%eval -1.3] } { Inaccuracy. f3 was best. } 20... Rc8 { [%eval -1.04] } 21. f3 { [%eval -1.06] } 21... Be6 { [%eval -0.81] } 22. Kf2 { [%eval -0.77] } 22... d4 { [%eval -0.76] } 23. Nxe6 { [%eval -1.13] } 23... fxe6 { [%eval -1.01] } 24. Rfd1?! { [%eval -1.64] } { Inaccuracy. Rxc8+ was best. } 24... Rd8?! { [%eval -0.51] } { Inaccuracy. Rxc1 was best. } { Stockfish whinges about this, but it's not worse than other moves } (24... Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rd5) 25. Rc4 { [%eval -0.42] } 25... Red5 { [%eval -0.51] } 26. f4 { [%eval -0.52] } 26... b5 { [%eval -0.47] } 27. Rc6 { [%eval -0.72] } 27... Re8?! { [%eval -0.07] } (27... e5! { gets rid of a weakness and exposes the White King } 28. fxe5 Rxe5 29. Rc2 Rf8+ 30. Kg3 Re3+ 31. Kg4 Re4+ 32. Kg3) 28. Kf3 { [%eval -0.05] } { The White King advances on d4, and it's equal } 28... Kb7 { [%eval -0.07] } 29. Rc2 { [%eval -0.18] } 29... Kb6 { [%eval 0.0] } 30. Ke4 { [%eval 0.0] } 30... Red8 { [%eval 0.0] } 31. Rcd2 { [%eval 0.0] } 31... Rh5 { [%eval 0.0] } 32. h3 { [%eval 0.0] } 32... a5?! { [%eval 0.73] } { ½-½
Draw agreed, I'm sure to White's relief, but White can even claim to be better here, and could have gone with the momentum. } (32... e5 33. fxe5 Re8 34. Rxd4 Rhxe5+ { is dead level }) 33. Rxd4 { [%eval 0.72] } 33... Rxd4+ { [%eval 0.91] } 34. Rxd4 { [%eval 0.72] } 34... Kc6 { [%eval 0.86] } { I don't know that the Pe6 is enough to lose the game for Black but White could have fun teasing you about it. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Bristol/Glos"]
[Black "Zihan"]
[Result "½-½"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A30"]
[Opening "English Opening: Symmetrical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You equalised then gradually accumulated advantages to give you a winning endgame, but I think through lack of confidence you let it go. I would ask you to be more encouraged that you did enough to win than be disappointed with the draw, as you played very well. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.32] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.25] } 2... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 3. g3 { [%eval 0.23] } 3... g6 { [%eval 0.4] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.29] } 4... Bg7 { [%eval 0.31] } 5. O-O { [%eval 0.29] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.32] } 6. d4 { [%eval 0.25] } 6... cxd4 { [%eval 0.13] } 7. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.21] } 7... Nc6 { [%eval 0.58] } 8. Nc3 { [%eval 0.44] } 8... Qb6 { [%eval 0.64] } 9. Nxc6?! { [%eval -0.11] } { Inaccuracy. Nc2 was best. } 9... dxc6 { [%eval -0.29] } 10. Qc2 { [%eval -0.36] } 10... Be6 { [%eval -0.18] } 11. Ne4 { [%eval -0.57] } 11... Nxe4 { [%eval -0.56] } 12. Bxe4 { [%eval -0.5] } 12... Rfd8 { [%eval -0.46] } 13. Rb1 { [%eval -0.33] } 13... Rd7 { [%eval -0.19] } 14. b4 { [%eval -0.46] } 14... Rad8 { [%eval -0.2] } 15. Bf4 { [%eval -0.25] } 15... a6 { [%eval 0.0] } 16. c5 { [%eval -0.09] } 16... Qa7 { [%eval -0.08] } 17. Rfd1 { [%eval -0.32] } 17... Rxd1+ { [%eval -0.2] } 18. Rxd1 { [%eval -0.28] } 18... Rxd1+ { [%eval -0.37] } 19. Qxd1 { [%eval -0.36] } 19... Qa8 { [%eval -0.27] } 20. Qd2 { [%eval -0.46] } 20... Qc8 { [%eval -0.26] } 21. a4 { [%eval -0.42] } 21... Bb3 { [%eval -0.15] } 22. Bc2 { [%eval -0.57] } 22... Bxc2 { [%eval -0.59] } 23. Qxc2 { [%eval -0.55] } 23... Qd7 { [%eval -0.61] } 24. Qd2 { [%eval -0.29] } 24... Qxd2 { [%eval -0.44] } 25. Bxd2 { [%eval -0.43] } 25... f5 { [%eval -0.35] } 26. e3? { [%eval -1.69] } { Mistake. f3 was best. } { Parking another pawn on a dark square is a mistake } 26... Kf7 { [%eval -1.45] } 27. Kf1? { [%eval -2.83] } { Mistake. f3 was best. } (27. f3 Ke6 28. e4 { was a better defensive idea. I'm not sure White realised how much trouble they were in. }) 27... Ke6 { [%eval -2.38] } 28. Ke2 { [%eval -2.57] } 28... Kd5 { [%eval -2.15] } 29. Kd3 { [%eval -2.65] } 29... e5 { [%eval -1.9] } 30. Kc3?? { [%eval -4.08] } { Opening the door for Black's King. } (30. Bc3) 30... Ke4 { [%eval -4.21] } 31. Kc4 { [%eval -5.16] } 31... Kf3 { [%eval -5.04] } 32. b5 { [%eval -5.08] } 32... Kxf2?! { [%eval -4.03] } (32... axb5+ { keeps the pawns neater, but it doesn't matter much here. } 33. axb5 Kxf2 34. Kb4 Bf8) 33. bxa6 { [%eval -4.49] } 33... bxa6 { [%eval -4.38] } 34. Kb4 { [%eval -4.36] } 34... Ke2 { [%eval -3.83] } { ½-½, but Black is winning, as becomes clear in a few moves: } 35. Bc1 { [%eval -4.44] } 35... Bh6 { [%eval -4.38] } 36. Ka5 { [%eval -4.5] } 36... Bxe3 { [%eval -4.64] } 37. Bxe3 { [%eval -4.54] } (37. Ba3 f4 $19) (37. Kxa6 f4! $19) 37... Kxe3 { [%eval -4.83] } 38. Kxa6 { [%eval -4.81] } 38... f4 $19 { [%eval -5.88] } ½-½
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Zihan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A36"]
[Opening "English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Ultra-Symmetrical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.32] } 2. Nc3 { [%eval 0.23] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.3] } 3. g3 { [%eval 0.13] } 3... g6 { [%eval 0.26] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.15] } 4... Bg7 { [%eval 0.12] } 5. Rb1 { [%eval 0.04] } 5... Nf6 { [%eval 0.1] } 6. b3 { [%eval -0.23] } 6... O-O { [%eval -0.26] } 7. Bb2 { [%eval -0.24] } 7... b6 { [%eval 0.12] } 8. e3 { [%eval -0.22] } 8... Bb7 { [%eval 0.17] } 9. Nge2 { [%eval 0.11] } { I'm sorry, I couldn't make sense of the next few pawn moves that were written down. If you ever work it out I will say more! } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Zihan"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "½-½"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Opening "Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System"]
{ Black was allowed to get a bit of typical Benko play but you were better for a lot of the game and after Black played an unsound sacrifice you were odds-on to win. Again I trust this is the sort of game that you will win with more experience. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] [%eval 0.16] } 2... c5?! { [%eval 0.93] } { Inaccuracy. e6 was best. } { [%eval 0.93] } 3. d5 { [%eval 0.65] [%eval 0.65] } 3... b5 { I like this for Black. } { [%eval 0.83] } 4. cxb5 { [%eval 0.8] [%eval 0.8] } 4... a6 { [%eval 0.74] [%eval 0.74] } 5. Nc3 { The Zaitsev system } { [%eval 0.54] } 5... g6? { [%eval 1.72] } { Mistake. axb5 was best. } { [%eval 1.72] } (5... axb5 6. e4 (6. Nxb5 { with 'normal' Benko play }) 6... b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bf4 { is the famous Nescafe Frappe Attack, a hacker's paradise } 8... g6 9. e5! Nh5 10. exd6 exd6 11. Qe2+ Kd7!) 6. e4 { [%eval 1.64] [%eval 1.64] } 6... d6 { [%eval 1.84] [%eval 1.84] } 7. f4?! { [%eval 0.91] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } { [%eval 0.91] } 7... Bg7 { [%eval 1.16] [%eval 1.16] } 8. Nf3 { [%eval 0.89] [%eval 0.97] } 8... O-O { [%eval 0.87] [%eval 0.87] } 9. Be2?! { [%eval -0.11] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } { [%eval -0.16] } 9... Qa5?! { [%eval 0.68] } { Inaccuracy. axb5 was best. } { [%eval 0.68] } (9... axb5! 10. Bxb5? (10. Nxb5?! Nxe4 $17) (10. e5! dxe5 11. fxe5 Ng4) 10... Nxe4 $19) 10. O-O { [%eval 0.65] [%eval 0.59] } 10... axb5 { [%eval 0.71] [%eval 0.66] } 11. e5 { [%eval 0.67] [%eval 0.64] } 11... Nfd7 { [%eval 1.19] [%eval 1.18] } 12. exd6 { [%eval 1.13] [%eval 1.23] } 12... exd6 { [%eval 1.05] [%eval 1.19] } 13. Nxb5 { [%eval 1.1] [%eval 1.14] } 13... Qb6 { [%eval 1.28] [%eval 1.15] } 14. Nc3?! { [%eval 0.38] } { Inaccuracy. a4 was best. } { [%eval 0.26] } 14... Na6 $16 { [%eval 0.7] [%eval 0.43] } 15. Qb3? $17 Nb4! { [%eval -0.76] [%eval -0.91] } (15... Qxb3 16. axb3 Bb7 { was my instinct but it's not so easy for Black to improve their position }) 16. Bc4 { [%eval -0.83] [%eval -0.85] } 16... Ba6 { [%eval -0.73] [%eval -0.76] } 17. Kh1 { [%eval -1.21] [%eval -1.25] } 17... Bxc4 { [%eval -1.22] [%eval -1.4] } 18. Qxc4 { [%eval -1.06] [%eval -1.29] } 18... Nc2?! { [%eval -0.51] } { Inaccuracy. Bxc3 was best. } { [%eval -0.57] } 19. Rb1 { [%eval -0.52] [%eval -0.39] } 19... Bxc3 { [%eval -0.38] [%eval -0.23] } 20. Qxc3 $15 { [%eval -0.37] [%eval -0.33] } 20... Na3?! $14 21. Ra1 { [%eval 0.57] [%eval 0.47] } 21... Nb5 { [%eval 0.49] [%eval 0.42] } 22. Qd3 { [%eval 0.35] [%eval 0.3] } 22... Nf6? { [%eval 1.42] } { Mistake. Qa6 was best. } { [%eval 1.54] } 23. Nd2? { [%eval 0.19] } { Mistake. f5 was best. } { [%eval 0.2] } 23... Nc7?! { [%eval 0.66] } { Inaccuracy. Nd4 was best. } { [%eval 0.77] } 24. Nc4 { [%eval 0.58] [%eval 0.55] } 24... Qa6?! { [%eval 1.21] } { Inaccuracy. Qb7 was best. } { [%eval 1.12] } 25. b3 { [%eval 1.09] [%eval 1.14] } 25... Nfxd5?! { [%eval 1.89] } { Inaccuracy. Ncxd5 was best. } { [%eval 2.0] } 26. Bb2?! Rad8? (26... f5) 27. g3?? { [%eval -0.29] } { Blunder. f5 was best. } { [%eval -0.24] } (27. f5!) 27... Qa8?! { [%eval 0.43] } { Inaccuracy. Nb4 was best. } { [%eval 0.58] } 28. Kg1 { [%eval 0.23] [%eval 0.36] } 28... Ne6?! { [%eval 1.29] } { Inaccuracy. Nb4 was best. } { [%eval 1.3] } 29. Rfd1? { [%eval 0.0] } { Mistake. f5 was best. } { [%eval 0.0] } 29... Ndxf4?? 30. gxf4 { [%eval 2.76] [%eval 2.81] } 30... Nxf4 { [%eval 2.44] [%eval 3.01] } 31. Qf1 { [%eval 2.68] [%eval 2.89] } 31... Qe4 { [%eval 2.87] [%eval 3.04] } (31... g5!? { but here also White looks too well-developed to be threatened by your attack. }) 32. Re1 { [%eval 2.78] [%eval 2.99] } 32... Qf5 { [%eval 2.89] [%eval 2.97] } 33. Ne3 { [%eval 2.8] [%eval 3.01] } 33... Qg5+ { [%eval 2.71] [%eval 2.9] } 34. Kh1 { [%eval 2.72] [%eval 2.65] } 34... Rde8 { [%eval 2.74] [%eval 2.63] } 35. Ng2 { [%eval 2.52] [%eval 2.74] } 35... Nh3?! { [%eval 3.56] } { Inaccuracy. Nxg2 was best. } { [%eval 3.54] } 36. Qf6? { [%eval 1.96] } { Mistake. Qf3 was best. } { [%eval 1.78] } 36... Rxe1+?! { [%eval 2.9] } { Inaccuracy. Qxf6 was best. } { [%eval 2.73] } 37. Rxe1 { [%eval 2.68] [%eval 2.9] } 37... Qxf6 { [%eval 2.8] [%eval 2.94] } 38. Bxf6 { [%eval 2.67] [%eval 2.72] } 38... Nf2+ { [%eval 3.24] [%eval 3.32] } 39. Kg1 { [%eval 3.31] [%eval 3.29] } 39... Nd3?! { [%eval 4.58] } { Inaccuracy. Ng4 was best. } { [%eval 4.5] } 40. Rd1 { [%eval 4.43] [%eval 4.41] } 40... Nb4 { [%eval 4.58] [%eval 4.62] } 41. a3 { [%eval 4.36] [%eval 4.57] } 41... Nc2 $18 { [%eval 4.8] [%eval 4.82] } 42. Be7? (42. a4!) 42... Rb8 { [%eval 2.45] [%eval 2.66] } 43. Bxd6?! $16 { [%eval 1.76] } { Inaccuracy. Rxd6 was best. } { [%eval 1.59] } 43... Rxb3 { [%eval 1.44] [%eval 1.84] } 44. Bxc5 { [%eval 1.71] [%eval 1.95] } 44... Nxa3 { Now the White queen's-side pawns have vanished, it is not obvious how White can win. } { [%eval 1.3] } 45. Bxa3? $10 { Swaps help the pawns, of course, and now I think the position cannot be won. } { [%eval 0.0] } (45. Ne3!? { or with a preliminary }) (45. Rd8+ Kg7 46. Ne3) 45... Rxa3 { [%eval 0.0] [%eval 0.06] } ½-½
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Josh"]
[Black "Devon A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ That was a shame: you quickly walked into a fairly straightforward tactic – three moves deep, but possible to see coming. I’d also like you to have another look at your fourth move – I think it might tell you a lot about what you can do to improve. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... c6 { [%eval 0.37] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.41] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.33] } 3. exd5 { [%eval 0.35] } 3... cxd5 { [%eval 0.33] } 4. Nc3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { I don't know if you had anything in mind here, but this is not a common move -- out of 14500 master games stored on Lichess, it has been played only 9 times. It's an OK square I guess but it doesn't form part of an idea or a system that I can see, and I'm really unsure where it's supposed to be going next.
"It gradually becomes clear that White has no plan and merely concerns himself with developing his pieces. You might have been able to play that fifty years ago, but nowadays, when every master makes a plan after the first six to eight moves of the game, there is no better way of getting into a cramped and passive position than thinking of development alone." - BOTVINNIK
https://lichess.org/study/QkcPmMty/ZsegIfiO } (4. c4 { Panov-Botvinnik Attack }) (4. Bd3 { Exchange Variation }) 4... Nf6 { [%eval -0.09] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... Nc6 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. Bb5 { [%eval 0.0] } (6. Ne5 { is interesting }) 6... Bf5 { [%eval 0.31] } 7. Ne5 { [%eval 0.36] } 7... Qc7?! { [%eval 0.95] } { Inaccuracy. Bd7 was best. } 8. Qf3?! { [%eval 0.08] } (8. Bf4! { sets up some discoveries against the Queen }) 8... e6 { [%eval 0.12] } 9. Bf4?! { [%eval -0.57] } { Inaccuracy. g4 was best. } { Crucially different: Black's reply rather pins your Knight. } 9... Bd6 { [%eval -0.72] } 10. Rc1 { [%eval -1.01] } 10... O-O { [%eval -0.75] } 11. Bxc6 { [%eval -0.85] } 11... bxc6 { [%eval -0.82] } 12. Qg3?? { [%eval -6.33] } { Blunder. Nd3 was best. } { This walks into a tactic, arising from the three most forcing moves from Black. } 12... Nh5! { [%eval -6.38] } 13. Qg5 { [%eval -6.18] } 13... Nxf4 { [%eval -6.29] } 14. Qxf4 { [%eval -6.43] } 14... f6 { [%eval -6.33] } { Winning a piece, and barring accidents, the game is over. } 15. Qh4 { [%eval -6.22] } 15... fxe5 { [%eval -6.38] } 16. Ne2 { [%eval -6.33] } 16... exd4 { [%eval -6.19] } 17. Nxd4 { [%eval -6.38] } 17... Be7 { [%eval -5.89] } 18. Qh5 { [%eval -6.33] } 18... Qe5+ { [%eval -6.18] } 19. Ne2 { [%eval -6.42] } 19... Qxb2 { [%eval -6.19] } 20. O-O { [%eval -6.21] } 20... Qxa2 { [%eval -6.0] } 21. Nd4 { [%eval -6.01] } 21... Qc4 { [%eval -6.15] } 22. c3 { [%eval -5.94] } 22... c5 { [%eval -6.01] } 23. Nc6 { [%eval -6.68] } 23... Bf6 { [%eval -6.75] } 24. Na5 { [%eval -7.2] } 24... Qg4 { [%eval -6.21] } 25. Qxg4 { [%eval -6.26] } 25... Bxg4 { [%eval -6.26] } 26. h3 { [%eval -6.32] } 26... Be2 { [%eval -5.92] } 27. Rfe1 { [%eval -5.8] } 27... Bg5 { [%eval -5.65] } 28. Ra1 { [%eval -5.83] } 28... Bb5 { [%eval -5.86] } 29. Rxe6 { [%eval -5.87] } 29... Bf6 { [%eval -5.9] } 30. Rc1 { [%eval -5.83] } 30... Rfe8 { [%eval -5.5] } 31. Rd6 { [%eval -5.49] } 31... Rad8 { [%eval -5.36] } 32. Nb7 { [%eval -5.51] } 32... Rxd6 { [%eval -5.56] } 33. Nxd6 { [%eval -5.58] } 33... Rb8 { [%eval -5.58] } 34. Rb1 { [%eval -5.68] } 34... a6 { [%eval -5.65] } 35. c4 { [%eval -5.74] } 35... dxc4 { [%eval -5.82] } 36. Nxc4 { [%eval -5.66] } 36... Be7 { [%eval -5.52] } 37. f4 { [%eval -5.66] } 37... g6 { [%eval -5.48] } 38. Ne5 { [%eval -5.59] } 38... Bd6 { [%eval -5.77] } 39. Nc6?! { [%eval -8.1] } { Inaccuracy. Rd1 was best. } 39... Bxc6 { [%eval -8.87] } 40. Rxb8+ { [%eval -10.29] } 40... Bxb8 { [%eval -10.62] } 0-1
[Event "Devon U18 Jamboree 2024: Sokolsky - Botvinnik 1938"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/QkcPmMty/GOQItYXo"]
[White "Sokolsky"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D94"]
[Opening "Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2024.02.02"]
[UTCTime "22:39:44"]
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. b3 Bb7 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Qc2 { "It gradually becomes clear that White has no plan and merely concerns himself with developing his pieces. You might have been able to play that fifty years ago, but nowadays, when every master makes a plan after the first six to eight moves of the game, there is no better way of getting into a cramped and passive position than thinking of development alone." - BOTVINNIK } 11... a6 12. Rac1 Rc8 13. Rfd1 Qe7 14. Qb1 Rfd8 15. Bf1 c5 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Ne2 Bh6 18. Ba3 Ng4 19. Qd3 Nde5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Ng3 Qf6 22. Nh1 d4 23. Qe2 Ne5 24. exd4 cxd4 25. Rxc8 Bxc8 26. Re1 d3 27. Qd1 Bg4 28. Qa1 d2 29. Rxe5 d1=Q 30. Re8+ Rxe8 31. Qxf6 Be2 32. Ng3 Bg7 33. Qc6 Bb5 34. Qc1 Qxc1 35. Bxc1 Re1 36. Be3 Ra1 37. a4 Bd3 38. f4 Rb1 39. Kf2 Bxf1 40. Nxf1 Rxb3 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Josh"]
[Black "Bristol/Glos"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ After an indifferent opening you grabbed a pawn at some risk and once Black had the initiative you were worse, but a blunder quickly decided things. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e6 { [%eval 0.0] } 2. d4 { [%eval 0.39] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.4] } 3. exd5 { [%eval 0.18] } 3... exd5 { [%eval 0.18] } 4. Nf3 { [%eval 0.12] } 4... Nf6 { [%eval 0.21] } 5. Nc3?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Again this apparently natural move leaves the Knight with no particular place to go. } 5... Bd6 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. Bd3 { [%eval -0.1] } 6... O-O { [%eval 0.0] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.0] } 7... c6 { [%eval 0.17] } 8. Bg5?! { [%eval -0.38] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 8... Bg4 { [%eval -0.36] } 9. h3 { [%eval -0.24] } 9... Bh5 { [%eval -0.11] } 10. Be2 { [%eval -0.39] } 10... Nbd7 { [%eval -0.38] } 11. Ne5?! { [%eval -1.03] } { Inaccuracy. Nh4 was best. } 11... Bxe2 { [%eval -0.95] } 12. Qxe2 { [%eval -0.97] } 12... Qb6?! { [%eval -0.25] } { Inaccuracy. Re8 was best. } 13. Nxd7 { [%eval -0.32] } 13... Nxd7 { [%eval -0.29] } 14. Qg4?! { [%eval -1.37] } { Inaccuracy. Qd3 was best. } 14... f5 { [%eval -1.5] } 15. Qf3 { [%eval -1.78] } 15... Rae8?! { [%eval -1.01] } { Inaccuracy. Qxd4 was best. } 16. Qd3 { [%eval -1.1] } 16... Nf6?! { [%eval -0.15] } { Inaccuracy. f4 was best. } { White gets a reprieve, but grabs a hot pawn } 17. Qxf5?? { [%eval -2.83] } { Blunder. Bxf6 was best. } 17... Ne4 { [%eval -2.92] } 18. Qd7 { [%eval -3.24] } (18. Qg4 Nxg5 19. Qxg5 Qxb2 { and the Knight has no good escape square and no defender } { [%csl Ra1,Rc3] }) 18... Nxg5 { [%eval -3.33] } 19. Qxd6 { [%eval -3.16] } 19... Qxd4?? { [%eval -1.0] } (19... Qxb2 20. Qg3 { with level material but White is undeveloped and uncoordinated } 20... Nf3+ 21. gxf3 Qxc3) 20. Rfe1?? { [%eval #-12] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rad1 was best. } { Oh dear! That's a bad miss. } (20. Qg3) (20. Rad1 Qb6 { and in either case White has fair chances }) 20... Qxf2+ { [%eval #-11] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Somerset B"]
[Black "Josh"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E61"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Smyslov Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ White climbed the advantage hill for 20 moves then lost control completely, and you fought hard to get a well-earned win. There were some oversights which need reflection. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... d6 { [%eval 0.51] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.53] } 3... g6 { [%eval 0.52] } 4. Nf3 { [%eval 0.53] } 4... Bg7 { [%eval 0.71] } 5. Bg5?! { [%eval 0.0] } { The Smyslov System. Not well-regarded but perfectly playable. } 5... Bg4?! { [%eval 0.78] } { Inaccuracy. h6 was best. } 6. Qd3?! { [%eval 0.06] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 6... Bf5?! { [%eval 0.82] } { Inaccuracy. h6 was best. } { Just wastes time inviting White's strong reply. } (6... O-O) 7. e4 { [%eval 0.82] } 7... Bg4 { [%eval 0.87] } 8. h3 { [%eval 0.58] } 8... Bxf3 { [%eval 0.6] } 9. Qxf3 { [%eval 0.66] } 9... h6 { [%eval 0.8] } 10. Be3 { [%eval 0.98] } 10... e5 { [%eval 1.09] } 11. d5 { [%eval 1.11] } 11... c6 { [%eval 1.35] } 12. Rd1 { [%eval 0.88] } 12... cxd5 { [%eval 0.73] } 13. exd5 { [%eval 0.56] } 13... e4?! { [%eval 1.68] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } { Just drops a pawn... was this a deliberate sac to give life to your Bishop? } 14. Nxe4 { [%eval 1.59] } 14... Nxe4 { [%eval 1.9] } 15. Qxe4+ { [%eval 1.82] } 15... Qe7 { [%eval 1.75] } 16. Qxe7+ { [%eval 1.94] } 16... Kxe7 { [%eval 1.92] } 17. Bd4?! { [%eval 1.24] } { Inaccuracy. Kd2 was best. } 17... f6? { [%eval 2.94] } { Mistake. Bxd4 was best. } { Not very constructive. } 18. c5 { [%eval 2.58] } 18... Nd7?! { [%eval 3.94] } { Inaccuracy. dxc5 was best. } { No move is great, but this allows White a passed c-pawn } 19. cxd6+?! { [%eval 2.84] } { Inaccuracy. c6 was best. } 19... Kxd6 { [%eval 2.8] } 20. Bb5? { [%eval 1.45] } { Mistake. Bd3 was best. } 20... Rhe8+ { [%eval 1.48] } 21. Be3 { [%eval 0.98] } 21... a6 { [%eval 0.96] } 22. Bd3 { [%eval 0.9] } 22... f5 { [%eval 0.83] } { Suddenly Black looks a bit more organised than White, and threatens ...f4, attacking a pinned piece. } 23. Bc4?? { [%eval -4.31] } { Blunder. O-O was best. } { White overlooks the threat... } 23... Bxb2?? { [%eval -0.14] } { ...But so does Black! } (23... f4! { wins a piece }) 24. Rb1? { [%eval -1.72] } { Mistake. O-O was best. } 24... Bc3+? { [%eval -0.22] } { Mistake. Bd4 was best. } 25. Kd1?! { [%eval -0.87] } { Inaccuracy. Kf1 was best. } 25... Re4?! { [%eval 0.02] } { Inaccuracy. b5 was best. } 26. Bd3 { [%eval 0.02] } 26... Ra4 { [%eval 0.0] } { The players have stumbled to an equal position, but equality proves short-lived. White goes on the defensive and you play well and actively to force home the win. } 27. Ke2?? { [%eval -2.34] } { Blunder. Rxb7 was best. } 27... Rc8? { [%eval -0.97] } { Mistake. Rxa2+ was best. } (27... Rxa2+ { is a comfortable free pawn with no loss of time. }) 28. Kd1?? { [%eval -2.96] } { Blunder. Rhc1 was best. } 28... b5 { [%eval -2.28] } 29. Kc2?? { [%eval -4.86] } { Blunder. Bc2 was best. } 29... f4 { [%eval -5.2] } 30. Bd2?! { [%eval -6.66] } (30. Bc1 { is best } 30... Ba5+ { and White is in a real muddle }) 30... Rxa2+ { [%eval -6.63] } 31. Kc1?! { [%eval -13.06] } { Inaccuracy. Kb3 was best. } 31... Rxd2 { [%eval -8.27] } { with an extra piece and a continuing attack. } 32. Bc2 { [%eval -8.68] } 32... Nc5 { [%eval -8.88] } (32... Rxf2! { "They're like peanuts, you know" -- Stephan Gerzadowicz. }) 33. Ra1 { [%eval -9.41] } 33... Nd3+ { [%eval -7.11] } (33... Rxf2!) 34. Bxd3 { [%eval -6.88] } 34... Bb4+ { [%eval -6.32] } { Didn't see the point of this? } (34... Rxd3) 35. Bc2?! { [%eval -11.3] } { Inaccuracy. Kb1 was best. } 35... Rcxc2+ { [%eval -13.65] } 36. Kb1 { [%eval -15.85] } 0-1
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Devon A"]
[Black "Jamie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You got the wrong end of the stick in the opening and struggled against White's strong attacking position. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.17] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.21] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. Bc4 { [%eval 0.12] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 4. d3 { [%eval 0.21] } 4... Bc5 { [%eval 0.18] } { Probably the best move but perhaps not the best way to play for a win. } (4... h6 { gets a lot of attention these days with one idea being to run the g-pawn at the White King's-side. In practice, White often plays h3, which helps Black. } { Anand, V. - Nepomniachtchi, I., 0-1, Croatia GCT 2019, https://lichess.org/VojwmW8l } 5. O-O (5. c3 d6 6. Nbd2 g5 7. h3 Bg7 8. Bb3 O-O 9. Nf1 Ne7 10. h4 g4 11. N3h2 d5 12. f3 Ng6 13. fxg4 Nxh4 14. g3 Ng6 15. Qe2 a5 16. Bc2 d4 17. g5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 a4 19. c4 Qd6 20. Nd2 Ra6 21. Rb1 Nh7 22. Qh5 Nxg5 23. Qxg5 Qe7 24. Qxe7 Nxe7 25. Nhf3 f5 26. Bd1 Bd7 27. Nh4 Bh6 28. exf5 Nxf5 29. Ne4 Be3 30. Be2 Rh6 31. Rh2 Bc6 32. Rg2 Nd6 { Anand, V. - Nepomniachtchi, I., 0-1, Croatia GCT 2019, https://lichess.org/VojwmW8l }) 5... d6 6. Re1 g5 7. d4 g4 8. dxe5 gxf3 9. exf6 Ne5 10. Nd2 Qxf6 11. gxf3 Rg8+ 12. Kh1 Nxc4 13. Nxc4 Bh3 14. Ne3 h5 15. Bd2 O-O-O 16. Qe2 d5 17. Rg1 Rxg1+ 18. Rxg1 dxe4 19. fxe4 Qxb2 20. Qxh5 Be6 21. Rg8 f6 22. Rh8 Qd4 23. Qa5 Qxe4+ 24. Kg1 a6 25. Bc3 Bd5 26. Nxd5 Rxd5 27. Rxf8+ Kd7 28. Rf7+ Ke8 29. Re7+ Kxe7 30. Qxc7+ Rd7 31. Qc5+ Kf7 32. Qh5+ Qg6+ 33. Qxg6+ Kxg6 34. Bb4 Rc7 35. c3 b6 { Vachier Lagrave, M. - Mamedyarov, S., 0-1, Saint Louis Rapid 2018, https://lichess.org/Tq3P1yXb }) 5. Bg5 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... d6 { [%eval 0.13] } 6. Nbd2?! { [%eval -0.43] } { Inaccuracy. Bh4 was best. } 6... Qe7 { [%eval 0.08] } 7. c3 { [%eval -0.07] } 7... Be6 { [%eval 0.23] } 8. Qb3 { [%eval 0.1] } 8... Nd8?! { [%eval 1.05] } { Inaccuracy. Bc8 was best. } { The Knight loses more scope by retreating than the Bishop } (8... Bd7 9. Qxb7 Rb8 10. Qa6 Rxb2 $10) (8... Bc8 $10) 9. d4 { [%eval 1.17] } 9... exd4?! { [%eval 1.95] } { Inaccuracy. Bb6 was best. } { Black shouldn't give up the centre without a plan to counter it } 10. cxd4 { [%eval 1.99] } 10... Bb6 { [%eval 2.04] } 11. e5! { [%eval 1.76] } (11. d5! { is also very good for White }) 11... Bxc4 { [%eval 1.65] } 12. Qxc4? { [%eval 0.48] } { Mistake. Nxc4 was best. } 12... dxe5 { [%eval 0.68] } 13. dxe5 { [%eval 0.65] } 13... Nc6?? { [%eval 4.79] } { Blunder. h6 was best. } { This does not escape the threats... } (13... h6! { was essential } 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 Nh5 $10) 14. O-O { [%eval 4.98] } 14... Nxe5 { [%eval 5.07] } 15. Nxe5 { [%eval 5.17] } 15... O-O { [%eval 5.31] } (15... Qxe5 { I guess you stopped your analysis here? } 16. Rae1! $18) 16. Rfe1 { [%eval 4.42] } 16... Qd6 { [%eval 4.58] } 17. Rad1 { [%eval 4.47] } 17... Rfe8?! { [%eval 6.23] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } { Abandons the f-pawn, but it is hard to give Black constructive advice. } 18. Qxf7+ { [%eval 6.25] } 18... Kh8 { [%eval 6.21] } 19. Ndf3 { [%eval 6.27] } 19... Qc5?! { [%eval 10.7] } { Inaccuracy. Qf8 was best. } 20. Be3?! { [%eval 6.06] } { Inaccuracy. Bxf6 was best. } 20... Qb4 { [%eval 5.92] } 21. Bxb6 { [%eval 5.96] } 21... Qxb6 { [%eval 6.17] } 22. Qc4 { [%eval 6.12] } 22... Qxb2?? { [%eval #4] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. h6 was best. } { If you have to lose, this is an attractive way. } 23. Nf7+ { [%eval #3] } 23... Kg8 { [%eval #3] } 24. Nh6+ { [%eval #2] } 24... Kh8 { [%eval #2] } 25. Qg8+ { [%eval #1] } 25... Rxg8 { [%eval #1] } 26. Nf7# 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "S Wales"]
[Black "Jamie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A08"]
[Opening "King's Indian Attack: French Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A tough game! White had three phases where they had the advantage, but each followed a position where you had at least equality. I am reminded of those maths puzzles involving a snail crawling in a well shaft: progress climbing is balanced by sliding back down. }
1. Nf3 { [%eval 0.2] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.25] } 2. g3 { [%eval 0.12] } 2... c5 { [%eval 0.25] } 3. Bg2 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Nc6 { [%eval 0.5] } 4. O-O?! { [%eval -0.24] } { Inaccuracy. d4 was best. } 4... e5 { [%eval 0.0] } 5. d3 { [%eval -0.27] } 5... Be6 { [%eval 0.23] } 6. Nbd2?! { [%eval -0.66] } { Inaccuracy. e4 was best. } { White is playing the King's Indian Defence with colours reversed; do you know a good system against the King's Indian? } 6... Bd6?! { [%eval 0.34] } { Inaccuracy. Be7 was best. } { The Bishop doesn't have great prospects on the b8-h2 diagonal. } (6... Be7 { is a reversed Semi-Gligoric. }) (6... f6 { is a reversed Samisch }) 7. c4 { [%eval 0.54] } 7... d4 { [%eval 0.6] } 8. Ne4 { [%eval 0.42] } 8... Nge7 { [%eval 0.81] } 9. Nxd6+ { [%eval 0.72] } 9... Qxd6 { [%eval 0.57] } 10. Ng5 { [%eval 0.51] } 10... Bd7? { [%eval 1.84] } { Mistake. Bf5 was best. } (10... Bf5 11. Ne4 Bxe4! { saves the c-pawn }) 11. f4?! { [%eval 0.7] } { Inaccuracy. Ne4 was best. } (11. Ne4! { picks up the c-pawn }) 11... exf4? { [%eval 2.29] } { Mistake. Qc7 was best. } 12. Bxf4 { [%eval 2.5] } 12... Qg6 { [%eval 2.35] } 13. Be4? { [%eval 0.62] } { Mistake. Ne4 was best. } (13. Ne4 b6 14. Nd6+ Kf8 { and Black has many problems getting sorted out }) 13... Bf5 { [%eval 0.6] } 14. Bg2 { [%eval 0.64] } 14... O-O { [%eval 0.5] } 15. Ne4 { [%eval 0.69] } 15... b6 { [%eval 0.71] } 16. Nd6 { [%eval 0.39] } 16... Bd7 { [%eval 0.36] } 17. h3?! { [%eval -0.35] } { Inaccuracy. a3 was best. } { Very weedy. Black can claim equality here (again). } 17... Nf5?! { [%eval 0.21] } { Inaccuracy. Rad8 was best. } 18. Nxf5 { [%eval 0.34] } 18... Qxf5?! { [%eval 0.94] } { Inaccuracy. Bxf5 was best. } { sets up a discovery for White } 19. Bd6 { [%eval 1.09] } 19... Qe6?! { [%eval 1.75] } { Inaccuracy. Qg6 was best. } 20. Bxf8 { [%eval 1.78] } 20... Qe3+ { [%eval 1.78] } 21. Kh2 { [%eval 1.79] } 21... Rxf8 { [%eval 1.68] } 22. Rf3? { [%eval 0.19] } { Mistake. Qc1 was best. } 22... Qe5?! { [%eval 1.26] } { Inaccuracy. Qh6 was best. } (22... Qh6 $14 { and Black's activity compensates for being an exchange behind }) 23. Qd2 { [%eval 0.78] } 23... Re8?! { [%eval 1.56] } { Inaccuracy. Qh5 was best. } 24. Re1?! { [%eval 0.59] } { Inaccuracy. Raf1 was best. } 24... Ne7? { [%eval 1.75] } { Mistake. Qh5 was best. } 25. Ref1 { [%eval 1.19] } 25... Nf5 { [%eval 1.14] } 26. R1f2?! { [%eval 0.42] } { Inaccuracy. Qf4 was best. } 26... h5?! { [%eval 1.48] } { Inaccuracy. f6 was best. } 27. Qf4 { [%eval 1.41] } 27... Qe7 { [%eval 1.72] } 28. Qe4?? { [%eval -0.52] } { Blunder. Qc7 was best. } { Black has stubbornly fought back to equality, but the next two moves slip back down the well. } (28. Qc7) 28... Qd6? { [%eval 1.1] } { Mistake. Qxe4 was best. } 29. Qd5 { [%eval 0.99] } 29... Qc7?? { [%eval 4.61] } { Blunder. Qxd5 was best. } 30. Rxf5 { [%eval 4.56] } 30... Bxf5 { [%eval 4.53] } 31. Qxf5 { [%eval 4.45] } { swapping a rook for two pieces } 31... g6 { [%eval 4.42] } 32. Qf4 { [%eval 3.92] } 32... Qe7?! { [%eval 5.45] } { Inaccuracy. Qxf4 was best. } 33. Bd5 { [%eval 5.62] } 33... Rf8 { [%eval 6.17] } 34. g4 { [%eval 5.35] } 34... hxg4 { [%eval 5.11] } 35. hxg4 { [%eval 5.06] } 35... Kg7 { [%eval 5.04] } 36. g5 { [%eval 4.7] } 36... Rh8+ { [%eval 5.94] } 37. Kg3 { [%eval 6.04] } 37... Rh5 { [%eval 7.39] } 38. Qxf7+ { [%eval 7.17] } 38... Qxf7 { [%eval 6.99] } 39. Rxf7+ { [%eval 6.89] } 39... Kh8 { [%eval 7.36] } 40. Kf4 { [%eval 7.11] } 40... Rh2? { [%eval #7] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. a5 was best. } 41. Ke5 { [%eval #6] } 41... Rxe2+ { [%eval #6] } 42. Kf6 { [%eval #5] } 42... Rf2+ { [%eval #5] } 43. Kxg6 { [%eval #4] } 43... Rxf7 { [%eval #4] } 44. Kxf7 { [%eval #3] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Anne-Marié"]
[Black "Somerset A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A15"]
[Opening "English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A three-act drama: early promise, tragedy strikes, then finally redemption and triumph. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.29] } 2. e3 { [%eval 0.12] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.23] } 3. g3 { [%eval -0.07] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.0] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... e6 { [%eval 0.3] } 5. Ne2 { [%eval 0.15] } 5... d5 { [%eval 0.21] } 6. cxd5 { [%eval -0.17] } 6... exd5 { [%eval -0.06] } 7. d4 { [%eval -0.29] } 7... c6 { [%eval -0.21] } 8. O-O { [%eval -0.27] } 8... O-O { [%eval -0.24] } 9. Nbc3 { [%eval -0.21] } 9... Re8 { [%eval -0.14] } 10. b3 { [%eval -0.55] } 10... Nbd7 { [%eval -0.27] } 11. Bb2 { [%eval -0.53] } { Your system of opening gets you through the first 10 moves with a near-guaranteed square for each piece, but the position you end up in I believe is not very promising. Your Bb2 has limited scope, there are some weak light squares in the centre and on the Queen's-side (see Byrne-Fischer) and there is no easy way to expand on the Queen's-side or the centre. Have a look at some sample English games where White had more of a plan in mind during the opening (https://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/ideas-behind-english-opening) -- or perhaps better, save the English for when you have more experience in simpler openings. } 11... Ng4 { [%eval -0.13] } 12. Nf4 { [%eval -0.12] } 12... Ndf6 { [%eval 0.16] } 13. Re1?! { [%eval -0.54] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 13... Bh6? { [%eval 0.92] } { Mistake. Ne4 was best. } 14. Rc1?! { [%eval 0.21] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 14... Bxf4 { [%eval 0.16] } 15. exf4 { [%eval 0.17] } 15... Nh6 { [%eval 0.15] } 16. Qd2 { [%eval 0.17] } 16... Bg4? { [%eval 1.64] } { Mistake. Rxe1+ was best. } 17. f5! { [%eval 1.34] } 17... Nxf5 { [%eval 1.81] } { Black now tries hard to lose a piece and you try hard to ignore it...
TACTIC: fork } 18. Re5?? { [%eval -0.7] } (18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. h3 Bh5 20. g4 { wins a piece }) 18... Qd7?? { [%eval 2.13] } { Blunder. Ng7 was best. } 19. Rce1?? { [%eval -0.68] } { Blunder. h3 was best. } 19... Rad8?? { [%eval 2.45] } { Blunder. Ng7 was best. } 20. f3 { [%eval 2.57] } 20... Nd6 { [%eval 2.66] } 21. Qg5 { [%eval 2.78] } 21... Bh3? { [%eval 4.76] } { Mistake. Kg7 was best. } 22. Bxh3 { [%eval 4.67] } 22... Qxh3 { [%eval 4.63] } 23. g4?? { [%eval -5.26] } { Blunder. Qxf6 was best. } 23... Qxf3 { [%eval -5.2] } 24. Rf1 { [%eval -5.44] } 24... Qxg4+ { [%eval -5.43] } 25. Qxg4 { [%eval -5.46] } 25... Nxg4 { [%eval -5.42] } { With many extra pawns for Black. } 26. Rg5 { [%eval -5.69] } 26... Ne3 { [%eval -6.0] } 27. Re1 { [%eval -5.83] } 27... Nef5 { [%eval -5.85] } 28. Re5 { [%eval -5.91] } { Black is winning here but risks throwing it all away with some careless moves: } 28... Ne4?? { [%eval 0.0] } { Blunder. f6 was best. } 29. Nxe4 { [%eval 0.0] } 29... dxe4 { [%eval 0.38] } { TACTIC: pin } 30. Rg2?? { [%eval -5.89] } { Blunder. Rexf5 was best. } 30... Rxe5 { [%eval -5.87] } 31. dxe5 { [%eval -5.78] } 31... Rd1+ { [%eval -5.74] } 32. Kf2 { [%eval -5.6] } 32... e3+ { [%eval -5.43] } 33. Kf3 { [%eval -6.74] } 33... e2?! { [%eval -4.32] } { Inaccuracy. Nh4+ was best. } 34. Rxe2 { [%eval -4.51] } 34... Nh4+ { [%eval -3.84] } 35. Kf4 { [%eval -4.03] } 35... Rf1+ { [%eval -3.92] } 36. Kg3 { [%eval -4.22] } 36... g5 { [%eval -4.17] } 37. Kg4 { [%eval -3.97] } 37... Rf4+?? { [%eval 0.0] } { Blunder. h6 was best. } 38. Kxg5 { [%eval 0.0] } 38... Ng6 { [%eval 0.0] } { Only one pawn in it now, and White can make up for it in activity. } 39. Bc1?? { [%eval -1.81] } (39. Rd2! $10 { The Rook is a poor defender and must be made active } 39... Kf8 40. Rd7) 39... f6+?? { [%eval 0.11] } { Blunder. Rf1 was best. } 40. exf6 { [%eval 0.09] } 40... Rf3 { [%eval 0.13] } 41. Re8+ { [%eval 0.13] } 41... Kf7 { [%eval 0.22] } 42. Re3 { [%eval -0.3] } 42... Rxf6 { [%eval -0.41] } 43. Bb2?? { [%eval -2.42] } { Blunder. Rd3 was best. } { TACTIC: fork } 43... Re6?? { [%eval -0.02] } { Blunder. Rf2 was best. } 44. Rf3+ { [%eval -0.21] } 44... Ke8 { [%eval -0.31] } 45. Rf2 { [%eval -0.64] } 45... Ne5?! { [%eval 0.03] } { Inaccuracy. Ne7 was best. } 46. Kf5 { [%eval 0.03] } 46... Nd3 { [%eval 0.04] } 47. Kxe6 { [%eval 0.05] } 47... Nxf2 { [%eval 0.29] } { TACTIC: fork } 48. Bd4 { [%eval 0.5] } 48... b6?? { [%eval 7.14] } { Blunder. Nd3 was best. } { Black has noticed only the less important prong of the fork. } 49. Bxf2 { [%eval 6.98] } 49... c5 { [%eval 6.88] } 50. Kd6 { [%eval 7.21] } 50... h5 { [%eval 7.43] } 51. Kc6 { [%eval 7.32] } 51... Kd8 { [%eval 7.26] } 52. Kb7 { [%eval 7.22] } 52... b5 { [%eval 9.15] } 53. Bxc5 { [%eval 9.15] } 53... Kd7 { [%eval 9.15] } 54. Ka6 { [%eval 9.15] } 54... Kc6 { [%eval 9.15] } 55. Bxa7 { [%eval 8.36] } 55... h4 { [%eval 35.16] } 56. Bb8 { [%eval 7.93] } 56... h3? { [%eval #16] } { Checkmate is now unavoidable. b4 was best. } 57. Ka5 { [%eval #21] } 57... Kc5 { [%eval #17] } 58. a4 { [%eval #17] } 58... bxa4 { [%eval #18] } 59. Kxa4 { [%eval #22] } 59... Kb6 { [%eval 45.23] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Javis"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A15"]
[Opening "English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black made a mistake early on, which you didn't notice, then a really big one, which you did. Have a look too at move 10: with some nifty manoeuvres, you can show Black to have been too ambitious in the centre; that's a big theme in the English. If that seems too hard to spot, then I might suggest the English is too hard an opening for you at the moment. }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.29] } 2. e3 { [%eval 0.12] } 2... d6 { [%eval 0.13] } 3. g3 { [%eval -0.01] } 3... g6 { [%eval 0.24] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.21] } 4... Bg7 { [%eval 0.21] } 5. Ne2 { [%eval 0.18] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.17] } 6. O-O { [%eval 0.17] } 6... e5 { [%eval 0.36] } 7. Nbc3 { [%eval 0.1] } 7... Be6? { [%eval 1.38] } { Mistake. Re8 was best. } 8. b3?! { [%eval 0.58] } { Inaccuracy. Bxb7 was best. } { That suggests an element of moving on autopilot, not paying attention to what is happening on the board in front of you. } 8... Nc6 { [%eval 0.66] } 9. Bb2 { [%eval 0.29] } 9... d5 { [%eval 0.16] } 10. c5? { [%eval -1.74] } { Blunder. cxd5 was best. } { Well, a mistake, taking all the pressure off the Black centre, that gives Black the advantage. } (10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Ne4 Ndb4 12. Nc5 $16) 10... d4?! { [%eval -0.92] } { Inaccuracy. Qd7 was best. } 11. Nb5? { [%eval -2.31] } { Mistake. exd4 was best. } (11. exd4 exd4 12. Nb5 { and Black is struggling to hang on to pawns and squares -- quite the point of the English Opening. }) 11... b6?? { [%eval 4.46] } { Blunder. a6 was best. } 12. Bxc6 { [%eval 4.21] } 12... Rb8? { [%eval 7.01] } { Mistake. Bd7 was best. } 13. Nxa7 { [%eval 5.43] } 13... dxe3?! { [%eval 7.15] } { Inaccuracy. bxc5 was best. } 14. dxe3 { [%eval 7.19] } 14... bxc5 { [%eval 7.42] } 15. Qxd8 { [%eval 7.16] } 15... Rfxd8 { [%eval 7.15] } 16. Bxe5 { [%eval 7.31] } 16... Bd5 { [%eval 8.75] } 17. Bxc7 { [%eval 8.61] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Javis"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A20"]
[Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A game which would have gladdened the heart of the Grand Old Duke of York, who marched their army to the top of the hill, and then down again.... You lacked a bit of killer instinct when on top, but found, I believe, a fork to win a piece right at the finish. Experience is mostly what you need, I expect -- more awareness of what can go wrong for both sides! }
1. c4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.25] } 2. e3 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.16] } 3. g3?! { [%eval -0.77] } { Inaccuracy. a3 was best. } 3... d6?! { [%eval 0.31] } { Inaccuracy. d5 was best. } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.29] } 4... Bd7 { [%eval 0.57] } 5. Ne2 { [%eval 0.36] } 5... Nf6 { [%eval 0.78] } 6. Nbc3 { [%eval 0.5] } 6... Qe7 { [%eval 0.98] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.73] } 7... O-O-O?! { [%eval 1.43] } { Inaccuracy. g6 was best. } { Now, opposite-side castling should put both sides into a different gear. Advancing pawns in front of your King to attack the opponent's King is a double-edged sword, but if the pawns you have to advance are on the other side of the board, you can throw them forward fast and hard -- and you must, because they will be doing the same to you! } 8. b3 { [%eval 1.16] } 8... Bg4?! { [%eval 1.86] } { Inaccuracy. h5 was best. } 9. Bb2?! { [%eval 0.87] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 9... g6?! { [%eval 1.78] } { Inaccuracy. Qd7 was best. } 10. Re1 { [%eval 1.23] } 10... Bg7 { [%eval 1.45] } 11. d3?! { [%eval 0.6] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 11... Nb4?! { [%eval 1.69] } { Inaccuracy. h5 was best. } 12. a3 { [%eval 1.66] } 12... Nc6 { [%eval 1.93] } 13. Qc2?! { [%eval 0.93] } { Inaccuracy. h3 was best. } 13... Rhe8? { [%eval 2.19] } { Mistake. Qd7 was best. } 14. b4 { [%eval 2.27] } { Aha! You have hit on the right plan. } 14... Bf5?! { [%eval 3.26] } { Inaccuracy. Qe6 was best. } 15. b5 { [%eval 2.76] } 15... Nb8 { [%eval 3.04] } 16. e4 { [%eval 2.39] } 16... Bg4 { [%eval 2.45] } 17. Red1 { [%eval 2.16] } 17... c6 { [%eval 2.54] } 18. a4 { [%eval 2.07] } 18... a5 { [%eval 2.34] } 19. Ba3?! { [%eval 1.33] } { Inaccuracy. f3 was best. } 19... b6?? { [%eval 4.04] } { Blunder. c5 was best. } 20. Rab1?? { [%eval 1.36] } { Blunder. bxc6 was best. } 20... Rd7?? { [%eval 5.6] } { Blunder. c5 was best. } 21. bxc6 { [%eval 5.83] } 21... Nxc6 { [%eval 6.11] } 22. Rxb6?! { [%eval 4.74] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } 22... Na7?! { [%eval 7.61] } { Inaccuracy. Nb4 was best. } 23. Qb3 { [%eval 7.56] } 23... Rb7 { [%eval 7.92] } 24. Rb1 { [%eval 7.61] } 24... Rxb6 { [%eval 7.92] } 25. Qxb6 { [%eval 7.74] } 25... Qc7 { [%eval 8.88] } { This position should 'feel' winning, and you do have a winning idea available, if you keep the Queens on. } 26. Bxd6?? { [%eval 3.25] } { Blunder. Qa6+ was best. } { Never mind, you're still winning... } (26. Qa6+ Kd8 27. Bxd6 Qd7 28. Rb8+ Nc8 29. Qb6+ Qc7 30. Qxc7#) 26... Qxb6 { [%eval 3.23] } 27. Rxb6 { [%eval 3.11] } 27... Bxe2? { [%eval 5.01] } { Mistake. Nd7 was best. } 28. Nxe2 { [%eval 5.1] } 28... Nd7 { [%eval 5.21] } 29. Ra6 { [%eval 4.38] } (29. Bh3! { threatens mate }) 29... Re6 { [%eval 5.25] } 30. Rxa7 { [%eval 5.06] } (30. Bh3! { is still best e.g. } 30... f5 31. exf5 gxf5 32. Bxf5 Rf6 33. Bxd7+ Kxd7 34. Rxa7+ Kxd6 35. Rxg7 $18) 30... Rxd6 { [%eval 4.98] } 31. Rxa5?! { [%eval 3.6] } { Inaccuracy. Bh3 was best. } (31. Bh3) 31... Rxd3 { [%eval 3.5] } { You are winning comfortably.
There aren't many ways to lose this, but you found one! } 32. Rb5?? { [%eval 1.05] } { Blunder. Bh3 was best. } 32... Rd1+ { [%eval 1.0] } 33. Bf1 { [%eval 0.9] } { Now what you don't want is the black Knight to end up on d2 } 33... Nf6? { [%eval 2.68] } { Mistake. Bf8 was best. } { Here it comes... } 34. a5?? { [%eval 0.2] } { Blunder. Rxe5 was best. } 34... Nxe4 { [%eval 0.15] } { Still coming... } 35. a6 { [%eval 0.15] } 35... Ra1 { [%eval 0.21] } 36. f3 { [%eval -0.21] } 36... Nd2 { [%eval -0.19] } 37. Kg2?? { [%eval -2.13] } { Blunder. a7 was best. } (37. a7! Rxa7 38. Bg2 $10) 37... Nxf1 { [%eval -2.14] } 38. Nc3?! { [%eval -3.52] } { Inaccuracy. Rb3 was best. } 38... Ne3+ { [%eval -3.43] } 39. Kf2 { [%eval -3.42] } 39... Nxc4?? { [%eval -0.35] } { helpfully handing back the piece } (39... Nf5 $19 { and Black is a piece ahead while you cannot create real threats with your pawns. }) 40. Rc5+ { [%eval -0.39] } 40... Kd7 { [%eval -0.46] } 41. Rxc4 { [%eval -0.32] } 41... Rxa6 { [%eval -0.37] } 42. Ke3 { [%eval -0.72] } 42... Rc6 { [%eval -0.34] } 43. Rxc6 { [%eval -0.36] } 43... Kxc6 { [%eval -0.3] } 44. Ke4 { [%eval -0.43] } 44... Kd6 { [%eval -0.19] } { With all the pawns on one side of the board, you should be OK.
"If you are just one pawn ahead, in 99 cases out of 100 the game is drawn if there are pawns on only one side of the board." FINE } 45. Nb5+?! { [%eval -0.93] } { Inaccuracy. g4 was best. } (45. g4 { makes things easier for you, insisting on swapping some pawns if Black tries to make progress. }) 45... Ke6 { [%eval -0.5] } 46. Nc7+ { [%eval -0.48] } 46... Kf6?? { [%eval 4.27] } { Blunder. Kd7 was best. } (46... Kd7 47. Nb5 $10) 47. Ne8+ { [%eval 4.34] } 47... Kg5 { [%eval 4.37] } { Not sure what happened here but well done! } 48. Nd6?? { [%eval 0.0] } (48. Nxg7 { seems more plausible if White won this game! }) 1-0
[Event "SWWoEjam"]
[Site "Chepstow"]
[Date "13.01.2024"]
[White "Bristol/Glos"]
[Black "Javis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C24"]
[Opening "Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Some rather ponderous manoeuvres, sometimes in the wrong direction, led to a sudden tactical flurry and a win for Black. The plan of taking on c3 and occupying d4 could have been played earlier with more effect, but you got there in the end. }
1. Nc3 { [%eval -0.13] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.38] } 2. e4 { [%eval 0.06] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.1] } (2... Nf6) 3. Bc4 { [%eval 0.11] } (3. f4!?) 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.0] } 4. d3 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... d6 { [%eval 0.37] } { A bit too reserved. } (4... Bb4) (4... Na5) 5. h3 { [%eval 0.11] } 5... h6 { [%eval 0.47] } { Perhaps played from an abundance of caution, but if you haven't castled, you can happily send off the g-pawn to make mischief. } 6. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Be6 { [%eval 0.47] } (6... g6!?) (6... g5!? 7. Be3 Bg7 8. Qd2 a6 9. a3 O-O 10. h4 g4 11. Nh2 Kh7 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. d4 d5 14. dxe5 Nxe4 15. Bd3 Bf5 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. O-O-O Qxd2+ 18. Nxd2 Nc6 19. Ndxe4 Nxe5 20. Rhe1 Rad8 21. Bf4 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Ng6 23. Bg3 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 f5 25. Nc5 f4 26. h5 fxg3 27. hxg6+ Kxg6 28. fxg3 Be5 29. Nd7 Rf5 30. Nxe5+ Rxe5 31. Rd4 h5 32. Kd2 Re7 33. b4 Kg5 { Yudin, S. - Ponkratov, P., 1/2-1/2, ch-RUS Blitz 2019, https://lichess.org/jaUseEwC }) 7. Bb3 { [%eval 0.44] } 7... Be7 { [%eval 0.33] } 8. O-O { [%eval 0.07] } 8... O-O { [%eval 0.18] } 9. Ne2 { [%eval -0.14] } 9... d5! $10 { [%eval 0.0] } (9... Bxb3!? 10. axb3 d5 $10) 10. Ng3 { [%eval 0.0] } 10... d4?! { [%eval 0.68] } { Inaccuracy. dxe4 was best. } 11. Bxe6 { [%eval 0.33] } (11. Ba4!?) 11... fxe6 { [%eval 0.33] } 12. Re1? { [%eval -0.03] } { Terrible... The e-file can be opened only by Black. } 12... Bb4 { [%eval -0.21] } 13. Bd2 { [%eval -0.21] } 13... Bxd2 { [%eval -0.1] } 14. Nxd2 { [%eval -0.12] } 14... Qe8 { [%eval 0.05] } 15. a4 { [%eval -0.08] } 15... a5 { [%eval 0.07] } 16. Nc4 { [%eval -0.13] } 16... b6 { [%eval -0.05] } 17. c3 { [%eval -0.46] } 17... Rd8 { [%eval -0.46] } 18. Qc2 { [%eval -0.41] } 18... Nh5 { [%eval -0.17] } 19. Qb3? { [%eval -1.44] } { Mistake. Nxh5 was best. } 19... Nxg3?! { [%eval -0.61] } { Inaccuracy. Nf4 was best. } (19... Nf4! $17 { occupying this fine outpost gives Black a plus; even if White doesn't drop the d-pawn... } 20. Rad1 dxc3 21. Qxc3 Nd4 22. Nxe5 c5 $19 { ...Black gets a crushing bind }) 20. fxg3 { [%eval -0.56] } 20... Qg6 { [%eval -0.03] } { Playing in the wrong part of the board, I expect: White's biggest weakness is on d3. } (20... dxc3! 21. Qxc3 Nd4! $15) 21. Qb5 { [%eval -0.05] } 21... Nb8 { [%eval 0.07] } 22. Qxe5 { [%eval -0.4] } 22... dxc3 { [%eval -0.42] } 23. Qxc3 { [%eval -0.67] } 23... Qxg3 { [%eval -0.47] } 24. Re3?! { [%eval -1.16] } { Inaccuracy. Qe5 was best. } 24... Qf2+ { [%eval -1.05] } 25. Kh1 { [%eval -1.32] } 25... Nc6 { [%eval -1.13] } 26. Rae1 { [%eval -1.21] } 26... Rd7? { [%eval -0.03] } { Mistake. Nd4 was best. } { TACTIC: discovery } (26... Nd4) 27. Nxb6 { [%eval -0.03] } 27... cxb6 { [%eval 0.0] } 28. Qxc6 { [%eval 0.0] } 28... Rxd3! { [%eval -0.03] } { TACTIC: overloading } 29. Qxe6+ { [%eval -0.01] } 29... Kh7 { [%eval -0.02] } 30. Rxd3?? { [%eval -5.56] } { Blunder. R3e2 was best. } { White mistakenly allows Black their tactic, probably believing it equal. } 30... Qxe1+ { [%eval -5.48] } { Not a simple Rook swap: The White King is in desperate trouble. } 31. Kh2 { [%eval -5.44] } 31... Rf1 { [%eval -5.86] } 32. Qf5+ { [%eval -5.71] } (32. g4 Qf2#) 32... Rxf5 { [%eval -5.64] } 33. exf5 { [%eval -5.46] } 33... Qe5+ { [%eval -5.33] } 0-1